• Friday, March 29, 2024

Results for "scotland"

Public satisfaction with NHS at all-time low, says survey

Public satisfaction with the NHS has plunged to a historic low with long waiting periods and staff shortages cited as main concerns, according to the British Social Attitudes survey. Just 24 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with the NHS in 2023, and this is five percentage points…

Edinburgh council backs first statue to named person of colour

EDINBURGH council has backed building the city’s first statue dedicated to a named person of colour. Plans to mark the legacy of former teacher and race relations campaigner Saroj Lal are set to be unveiled after councillors unanimously backed the creation of a “permanent memorial”. Lal, who in the 1970s…

Comment: Sunak’s immigration headache

No issue has caused Rishi Sunak more trouble as prime minister than immigration. He identifies himself as a prime minister with a plan, determined to deliver. That has been a challenging battle on the economy and public services, but has been most difficult of all on immigration. The government has increased…

No progress in ending racism, says Keith Vaz

ONE of Britain’s first ethnic minority members of parliament has told Eastern Eye of his regret at not being able to “move the dial forward” in the fight against racism, while urging the current generation to do more. Keith Vaz was the first Asian MP for nearly sixty years when…

Conservatives are ‘institutionally Islamophobic’: Yousaf

Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf hit out at the Conservative Party for being "institutionally Islamophobic", according to media reports. He said this in reaction to the comments reportedly made by Conservative party donor Frank Hester (57) about Labour MP Diane Abbott. According to The Guardian newspaper, Hester had reportedly said…

Tories attack Yousaf for not declaring parents’ assets

Scotland's Conservatives have accused first minister Humza Yousaf of lacking transparency in his register of interests entry, where there is no mention of his parent's property empire, according to media reports. The latest list was published during the week with ministers required to set out potential conflicts of interest between…

Vaughan Gething becomes first black leader of Wales

VAUGHAN GETHING won the Welsh Labour party leadership contest on Saturday (16), marking a historic moment as he is set to become the first black leader of the country's semi-autonomous government. Gething, 50, will succeed Mark Drakeford, 69, who announced in December that he was stepping down. The new leader…

British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024 winners announced

The British Wildlife Photography Awards for 2024 showcase an array of captivating images capturing the essence of Britain's wildlife and habitats. With over 14,000 submissions, the winning photographs depict everything from urban wildlife to mesmerising courtship rituals and microscopic organisms, highlighting the diverse tapestry of life in the region. [caption…

GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards 2024: ‘This evening recognises ethnic…

LEADING public and private sector organisations need to do more attract ethnic minorities to their boardrooms, Kalpesh Solanki, managing director at Asian Media Group (AMG), told attendees at the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards. In December 2023, only 44 per cent of the UK’s top 50 largest private companies had…

New UK residents could unlock up to £300 in car…

Sponsored by Marshmallow Insurance There are numerous challenges that recent migrants to the UK face, but one that is frequently overlooked is the process of driving, obtaining a vehicle, and securing car insurance. Understanding the costs associated with car insurance and the driving regulations in the UK can be bewildering…

Report accuses Cricket Scotland of prejudice against women

CRICKET SCOTLAND has plunged into fresh crisis after a damning independent report revealed serious concerns around the sports body's treatment of women and girls who "face a toxic environment and high degree of prejudice". The British media reported that The McKinney Report, an independent neutral assessment carried out by a…

India plays vital role in shaping Commonwealth’s work: Baroness Scotland

INDIA not only shaped the birth of the Commonwealth, but will also continue to play a vital role in shaping its work, the organisation’s secretary general, Baroness Patricia Scotland, said on Monday (11) on the occasion of Commonwealth Day. Baroness Scotland, who was scheduled to visit India later this week,…

TOP 10 British Asian women entertainers

We are often fascinated when we spot a person of colour in British entertainment, be it cinema, series or any other source of entertainment. On this International Women's Day, we made a list of women who have brought colours to the British entertainment sector and have not only won the…

Community pharmacists can play key role in integrated NHS: Bharat…

COMMUNITY pharmacists can play a key role in an integrated NHS and help improve patient care, an influential business leader in the sector has said. Bharat Shah, who co-founded Sigma Pharmaceuticals, said stronger collaboration among primary healthcare providers can provide patients with the best possible care by fostering a unified…

Motherhood penalty reverses gender equality in UK: report

A new report has highlighted a concerning reversal in gender equality progress in the UK, attributing it to the "motherhood penalty" and inadequate support for women going through menopause. Global accounting firm PwC's annual Women in Work Index revealed a significant widening of the gender pay gap in Britain, causing…

Riz Ahmed to produce racism docuseries ‘Defiance’ for Channel 4

Riz Ahmed-led Left Handed Films has joined hands with BAFTA–winning Rogan Productions and GroupM Motion Entertainment to produce a racism docuseries Defiance for Channel 4. Defiance is set to examine how Britain’s Asian community was targeted with a campaign of violence and murder between 1976 and 1981, as National Front…

Police failings led to officer’s rape and murder, inquiry finds

A public inquiry into a British police officer whose rape and murder of a woman horrified the nation concluded on Thursday (29) that without a sweeping overhaul of failed vetting procedures, there was nothing to stop another similar case arising. Wayne Couzens, 51, whose job was to guard diplomatic premises…

Leap day of leap year 2024: Unlocking the mysteries of…

As the calendar flips to February 29, 2024, for many, it's just another Thursday. Yet, beneath the surface lies a day veiled in superstitions and historical intrigue—the leap year. Before delving into its mystique, let's uncover the significance and captivating history behind this extraordinary occurrence. What is leap day and…

Tributes paid to Mike Allbut who presented Asian content on…

MIKE ALLBUT was a broadcasting pioneer who played a major role in the transition of Asian programmes on BBC local radio in England from targeting first generation immigrant communities to reaching out to young British Asians. Born in Scotland and raised in Suffolk, Allbut moved to Leicester in the 1970s…

London mugging spree alarms Indian business community

INDIANS are becoming victims of frequent muggings in London, especially for Rolex watches in Mayfair, with police allegedly doing little to respond to their appeals for help. The traumatic experience of senior lawyer Vijay Goel, founder of the Indo-European Business Forum, as relayed to Eastern Eye, appears to be fairly…

Labour set to weather storm of dwindling Muslim support

Labour's Sir Keir Starmer finds himself navigating a challenging political landscape, marked by a noticeable shift in support from Muslim constituents due to his stance on the Gaza conflict. But despite this, analyses suggest that Labour's robust lead may mitigate the potential impact on election outcomes, sparing the party from…

Indian national forfeits £118m from sale of drugs in Britain…

AN INDIAN national extradited from the UK pleaded guilty to operating a global dark web enterprise to sell “deadly and dangerous drugs to communities across America” and agreed to forfeit approximately $150 million (£118m) in cryptocurrency. According to court documents, Banmeet Singh – originally from Haldwani in India’s Uttarakhand state,…

British Asian families suffer as poverty increases in UK: Report

MANY British Asian families are badly affected as poverty has increased in the UK to around pre-pandemic levels, a new report said. The UK poverty 2024 report by Joseph Rowntree Foundation published last Tuesday (23) said Asian households also have higher rates of child poverty, very deep poverty and persistent…

Top 30 under 30 to watch in 2024

AN EXCITING young generation of south Asian creative talent is continuing to add new elements to popular culture with a cool approach. While some have already made an impressive mark with a brilliant body of work, others are showing real potential to be future gamechangers. They are all making themselves…

Labour unveils plan to save funds and reform NHS

THE Labour party said it would aim to save £10 billion by cutting waste and reforming the health service if in power, saying these measures could free up cash to spend on frontline care. The NHS emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic in crisis, crippled by long waiting lists, ambulance delays…

Three Indian scientists win prize in UK

THREE Indian scientists are among the winners of the 2024 Blavatnik awards for young scientists in the UK. Prof Rahul R Nair, Prof Mehul Malik and Dr Tanmay Bharat are among the nine winners of award instituted by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences. The…

Trump mocks Haley’s first name in ongoing attacks

Former US President Donald Trump has launched racially charged attacks against his Indian-American Republican rival Nikki Haley, consistently referring to her as “Nimbra," intentionally misspelling her birth name. Trump's attack against Haley, a daughter of Indian immigrants who served as his UN ambassador, comes days before a hotly contested New…

Surgeon advises patient to eat more to qualify for weight…

A Turkish doctor, Dr Ogün Erşen, who specialises in weight loss "holidays" abroad, advised an undercover BBC reporter to gain weight to qualify for gastric sleeve surgery. Despite the reporter having a BMI within the healthy range of 24.4, Dr Erşen instructed her to "eat some snacks" to increase her…

Humza Yousaf’s brother-in-law faces drugs supply charge

THE brother-in-law of Scotland's first minister has appeared before a Dundee court facing charges related to the alleged supply of heroin valued at over £6,000, reported The Times. Ramsay El-Nakla, 36, brother-in-law of Humza Yousaf, along with two others are facing charges not only of dealing heroin but also possessing…

Queen left sealed death-bed letter for son Charles, new book…

Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96 in September 2022, reportedly left a sealed death-bed letter for her son and heir, King Charles III, a new book has claimed. According to a report in ‘The Daily Telegraph' on Saturday, biographer Robert Hardman has written about the…

Scotland’s Labour leader calls on pro-independence voters to oust Tories

During his first major speech on Monday (8), Anas Sarwar, Scotland's Labour leader urged independence backers to switch allegiance from the Scottish National Party (SNP) in a bid to unseat the Tories from Downing Street. Simultaneously, during his speech, first minister Humza Yousaf emphasised to undecided voters that the current…

New York to host India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

RIVALS India and Pakistan will play their Twenty20 World Cup group game in New York on June 9 while co-hosts United States will take on Canada in the opening match, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said last Friday (5). The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, which will be…

Sri Lanka’s president backs India’s proposal for Tamil autonomy

SRI Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe said last Friday (5) he backed a proposal by India to provide political autonomy to the island’s minority Tamil community. India has urged Colombo to implement the 13th Amendment, following the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987, which can be a solution for the devolution of…

India to play Pakistan in New York in T20 World…

RIVALS India and Pakistan will play their Twenty20 World Cup group game in New York on June 9 while co-hosts US will take on Canada in the opening match, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said. The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US…

Probe into prison worker’s alleged sexual relationship with Zara Aleena’s…

A female prison worker is under investigation after being accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with Jordan McSweeney, the convicted killer of Zara Aleena, inside the high-security Belmarsh jail, reported The Telegraph. McSweeney, 30, was sentenced to life in December 2022 for stalking, sexually assaulting, and murdering the 35-year-old…

Alleged fraudsters of Indian origin face trial in Scotland court

A group of alleged fraudsters of Indian origin, among them a woman, who was arrested and charged concerning a high-value fraud, are set to face trial in a Scotland court in the upcoming weeks after they declined to enter a plea. According to Police Scotland, the arrests took place as…

Right-wing upstarts threaten Tories with ‘Make Britain Great’ vision

Ahead of the upcoming general election this year, the ruling Conservatives find themselves once again challenged by a fringe right-wing political party, originally founded by the eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage. Reform UK -- formerly called the Brexit Party and whose current leader admires former US president Donald Trump -- rails…

Nepal cricketer Lamichhane found guilty of rape

NEPAL’S cricket star Sandeep Lamichhane was last Friday (29) convicted of rape after a repeatedly delayed trial that had left him free to continue his sporting career. Lamichhane, 23, was once the poster boy for the rise of cricket in Nepal. The leg spinner’s onfield success had boosted the sport’s…

Junior doctors start longest consecutive strike in NHS history

Junior doctors in England on Wednesday (3) commenced the longest consecutive strike witnessed in the seven-decade history of the NHS. Junior doctors -- those below consultant level -- started a six-day walkout, in a major escalation of their long-running pay dispute with the UK government. The industrial action comes at…

Almost 8,000 NHS appointments cancelled due to last week’s junior…

After last week's junior doctor strike, almost 88,000 NHS appointments had to be cancelled, predominantly comprising over 86,300 hospital check-ups and operations. Additionally, around 1,500 community and mental health appointments were affected by the strike, the BBC reported. This strike marks a part of ongoing disruptions, with over 1.2 million…

India’s love of homegrown single malts shakes up Pernod, Diageo

OAK casks, once used to store bourbon and wine, are stacking up in a distillery near New Delhi, filled with ageing whisky as workers churn out almost 10,000 bottles a day of Indian single malt Indri, recently named the world's best whisky. Sugarcane and mustard fields, not peat bogs, ring…

Cameron calls Yousaf’s Erdogan meeting ‘breach of protocol’

Foreign secretary David Cameron has issued a warning, suggesting a potential withdrawal of cooperation with Scottish ministers following a meeting between Humza Yousaf and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Yousaf, the first minister, met the Turkish president at COP28 without the presence of a UK official, which Lord Cameron said was a…

Asian groups missing from labour market in UK

AROUND a third of individuals from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities broadly have no one earning any income through work, the latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed. Almost half of all women in both these ethnic groups are not economically active either – meaning they are…

Yousaf says ‘dark day for devolution’ as court rules against…

THE UK government's blocking of a controversial Scottish gender recognition law was ruled lawful by Scotland's highest civil court. The legislation, passed by the Scottish parliament in December, would have made it easier and faster for people to officially change their gender, dropping the requirement for a gender dysphoria medical…

Hong Kong migrants face challenges despite support

NEW government figures published last month show that 47,000 Hong Kongers moved to the UK in the year to June 2023. They arrived under the government’s British National (Overseas) visa programme, set up after Hong Kong’s National Security law restricted its citizens’ democratic freedoms. In total, around 120,000 have arrived…

Police discover body of missing Indian student in Thames

A 23-year-old Indian student who went missing in the UK last month has been found dead in the River Thames. Mitkumar Patel arrived in the UK for higher studies in September and was reported missing on November 17. The Metropolitan Police discovered his body in the River Thames near the…

Sadiq Khan activates emergency measures as snowfall threat looms

MAYOR Sadiq Khan has declared the 'severe weather emergency protocol' for London as the possibility of snowfall looms over the city later this week. He is also implementing measures aimed at protecting rough sleepers amidst freezing temperatures. Khan explained that the procedure involves activating emergency shelters throughout the city to…

Ranbir a mix of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and…

As an actor, Ranbir Kapoor has no limitations, says filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who believes he has presented the star in a never-seen-before avatar in their upcoming film Animal. The movie revolves around a father and son and their troubled bond, played by Anil Kapoor and Ranbir. It is set…

Family of detained Scot appeals to Cameron for intervention

THE family of a Scottish man who has been detained in India for six years has appealed to the new foreign secretary to intervene and potentially save his life. Jagtar Singh Johal, a 36-year-old Sikh activist, faces terror charges in connection with political violence in India. His family has written…

Coping with cash worries

THE recent cost of living crisis has created a wave of anxiety among many, with around three in four adults reporting feeling overwhelmed about their financial well-being, according to ONS. Although it’s natural to experience such worries, excessive concern can become all-consuming, leaving you unable to function in daily life.…

Yousaf asserts Matheson didn’t mislead him over iPad affair

Humza Yousaf has refuted any suggestion that he was deceived by Michael Matheson regarding the iPad data billing controversy. Nevertheless, Yousaf acknowledged that Matheson could have handled the situation better. Defending the health secretary, Matheson, the first minister described him as a “man of integrity,” as speculation about a possible…

Scottish Labour leader avoids confrontation with Starmer over Gaza

Scottish Labour head Anas Sarwar has refused to be drawn into a clear confrontation with his party leader Sir Keir Starmer over the demand for a ceasefire in Gaza. Sarwar said he supported a ceasefire, but refused to say if he would have supported a Westminster vote on the matter…

Man and woman plead guilty to racially abusing Humza Yousaf

TWO people who pleaded guilty to racially abusing Scotland's first minister, Humza Yousaf, have been issued community sentences. Tracie Currie, 35, and Carl O'Brien, 25, admitted targeting Yousaf and directing offensive remarks at other SNP politicians in Dundee. They both avoided jail after pleading guilty. According to reports, Currie and…

More women to gain access to contraceptive pills from pharmacies

From next month, nearly half a million women in England will gain access to the contraceptive pill directly from pharmacies without requiring a GP appointment. The Pharmacy First scheme will also extend its services to include treatments for urinary infections and various common conditions, the BBC reported. NHS England highlighted…

King Charles hosts special 75th birthday reception to meet Indian…

To mark his 75th birthday, King Charles III hosted a special reception at Buckingham Palace to honour Indian nurses, midwives, and global medical professionals dedicated to the NHS. Indians lead the estimated 150,000 international nurses and midwives currently working in the NHS, which is also celebrating its 75th anniversary year.…

Tragedy as mother and children die in house fire

FIVE members of a family, including a woman and her three children, were killed in a house fire in west London last Sunday (12) evening. The woman has been identified as Seema Ratra, but the three children have not been named. Their father, Aroen Kishen, who survived the fire, was…

Fewer non-white members in Sunak’s cabinet now

THE number of non-white cabinet ministers has come down from five to four after prime minister Rishi Sunak reshuffled his core team on Monday (13). Suella Braverman was sacked as home secretary and former prime minister David Camaron was made foreign secretary as part of the exercise. While Sunak -…

Massive pro-Palestinian march in London, over 120 people arrested

MORE THAN 300,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday (11), with police arresting over 120 people as they sought to stop far-right counter-protesters from ambushing the main rally. Skirmishes broke out between police and the far-right groups gathered to protest against the demonstration taking place on Armistice Day,…

Met Police cuts ties with adviser over anti-Semitic chant

THE Metropolitan Police has ended its relationship with an adviser after the revelation of a two-year old video of him leading a pro-Palestine chant. The recording, first reported by The Telegraph, shows London Muslim Communities Forum chair Attiq Malik instigating chants of “from the river to the sea, Palestine will…

Humza Yousaf’s in-laws stuck in Gaza return to Scotland

Humza Yousaf's in-laws, Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged, have returned to Scotland after being stranded in Gaza for four weeks. The family of Scotland's first minister was reunited when they successfully crossed into Egypt on Friday (3) via the Rafah crossing. Yousaf shared the news on social media, confirming…

4 police officers injured and 29 people arrested during pro-Palestinian…

Four police officers sustained injuries when pro-Palestinian demonstrators launched fireworks into crowds in central London. Law enforcement made 29 arrests on suspicion of racially motivated crimes in connection with the incident. The Metropolitan Police said more than 1,300 officers were on duty on Saturday (4) as tens of thousands of…

Humza Yousaf’s in-laws leave Gaza for Egypt

SCOTLAND's first minister Humza Yousaf confirmed on Friday (3) that his parents in-law had managed to leave Gaza and enter Egypt through the Rafah crossing. Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, the parents of Yousaf's wife Nadia, became trapped in the Palestinian territory after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. They were…

Asda pledges to cut prices as it plans to raise…

ASDA, owned by billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, has pledged to reduce prices for customers by generating up to £412 million to alleviate the debt burden of its petrol station empire. Following a £2 billion acquisition deal of EG Group's UK and Ireland operations, Asda aims to extend its…

‘Diwali celebrates best of Britain’

DIWALI – the story of good triumphing over evil – shows how multiculturalism is not failing but instead enhancing community relations in today’s Britain, prominent politicians and business leaders have told Eastern Eye. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, added their voices to the…

Braverman condemns pro-Palestine demonstrations, calls them ‘hate marches’

Suella Braverman has described the individuals participating in street demonstrations advocating for a Gaza ceasefire as participants in "hate marches." Braverman expressed her dismay at the large gatherings, involving "tens of thousands of people," where chants advocating for the elimination of Israel were heard. Speaking after a Cobra meeting chaired…

Humza Yousaf connects with family in Gaza amid communication blackout

Scotland's first minister, Humza Yousaf, has finally established contact with his family in Gaza after a period of communication blackout. His in-laws have been stranded in the region since the attacks by Hamas in Israel. He said they managed to get in touch after two days without communication, reporting a…

Ex-Met officer ‘breached professional standards with inappropriate behaviour’

A GROSS misconduct hearing has found that a former Scotland Yard sergeant would have been dismissed without notice were he still in his post after being found to have breached professional standards with "inappropriate behaviour" as a police officer. Former Metropolitan Police Sergeant Anish Sharma, who was based on the…

Five charged after pro-Palestinian protests in London

FIVE people were charged on Sunday (29) after their arrest during pro-Palestinian protests in London a day earlier, which saw tens of thousands march for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The Metropolitan Police arrested nine people - two on suspicion of assaulting police officers and seven for public order offences.…

Yousaf reacts to Musk’s ‘racist’ comment

BILLIONAIRE businessman Elon Musk called Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf a “blatant racist” after watching an edited clip of the Asian politician’s three-year-old speech. The Tesla and SpaceX owner’s comment sparked a storm on social media while Yousaf reacted to his claim by posting a GIF. Musk responded to a…

Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK overall winner of RHS’s Britain in Bloom Competition…

Newcastle-under-Lyme has clinched the RHS gold award and the title of Overall Winner in the UK finals of the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom competition 2023 which stands as the largest community gardening competition in the UK. Out of 44 community gardening groups nominated to represent their region…

Starmer under pressure over stance on Israel-Hamas war

OPPOSITION leader Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure over his stance on the Israel-Hamas war, testing the leadership mettle of the favourite to become Britain's next prime minister. The 61-year-old is battling to dampen tensions within Labour's ranks over remarks he made about the Israeli response to Hamas's October 7…

British lawyers weigh pros and cons of extradition treaty with…

LEADING lawyers are split on whether Britain should have an extradition treaty with Pakistan so suspects can be questioned by police quicker. The two countries do not currently have any formal agreement, but there have been cases of people being brought back to the UK to be quizzed. Last year,…

Families split by war

BORIS JOHNSON’S sister, Rachel Johnson, who has a weekend slot on LBC, spent an hour last Sunday (22) discussing how families can be split by politics. She revealed that when Boris came to dinner, Brexit was off the menu. Boris’s siblings didn’t agree with him. One man rang LBC to…

Anas Sarwar calls himself ‘Glasgow nationalist’

ANAS SARWAR said the Scotland Office in London would promote Scottish interests more effectively if a Labour government is formed after the next general election in the UK. The Scottish Labour leader said the office responsible for Scottish affairs would be “draped in a Saltire" in the event of Labour…

Use facial recognition to arrest shoplifters, retailers tell the Met

Police forces need to ensure that the implementation of facial recognition technology leads to arrests and convictions of shoplifters, the head of independent retailers has told Eastern Eye. The Metropolitan Police last Thursday (19) announced that it will use facial recognition technology to tackle London's worst shoplifters by matching CCTV…

Akshay Kumar begins shooting for ‘Khel Khel Mein’ in London

Actor Akshay Kumar-starrer Khel Khel Mein went on floors in London on Saturday. Taking to Instagram, Akshay took to Instagram and shared the particular update with his fans and followers. "Can't help but smile when the camera rolls! Day 1 in London for #KhelKhelMein, shooting begins Need your love and…

Yousaf faces backlash as tax freeze announcement angers Scottish councils

FIRST MINISTER Humza Yousaf is facing opposition from his own council members following the announcement of a council tax freeze in Scotland, which he failed to communicate to town halls in advance, The Telegraph reported. Cosla, which represents Scottish councils, expressed "real anger" about this unexpected move, which was the…

Dutch ready to ‘beat any side’ after win over Proteas

THE Netherlands are confident they "can beat any side" after a shock win over South Africa, with skipper Scott Edwards eyeing a spot in the World Cup semi-finals. The Dutch stunned South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-reduced 43-overs-a-side contest in Dharamsala on Tuesday (17) for their first win…

Humza Yousaf’s independence strategy compromise ends SNP rebellion

Humza Yousaf, the leader of the Scottish National Party, successfully quelled a party rebellion by MPs by compromising on his independence strategy during the party's 89th annual conference in Aberdeen (from Sunday 15 to Tuesday 17 October 2023). The compromise states that if the SNP secures a majority of Scotland's…

Humza Yousaf’s wife accuses Israel of ‘terrorising’ Gaza

SCOTTISH leader Humza Yousaf’s wife has accused Israel of “terrorising” Gaza where everyone is “waiting to die” ahead of Tel Aviv’s expected ground offensive on the Palestinian territory. Israel launched a war on the Hama militant group which infiltrated the country’s southern region and killed about 1,400 Israelis. Tel Aviv…

Afghanistan defeat champions England in seismic shock

AFGHANISTAN pulled off one of the greatest World Cup shocks on Sunday when they defeated defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi. Chasing 285 to win, after opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had hit a blistering 80, England were bowled out for 215 despite Harry Brook's 66 with spinners Mujeeb…

Thousands rally in solidarity with Palestinians

TENS of thousands of people rallied on Saturday (14) in London and other UK cities at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, amid police warnings that anyone showing support for the militant group Hamas could face arrest. Protesters marching through the heart of the British capital were shadowed by a heavy police presence of…

“Where’s humanity?” asks Humza Yousaf’s mother-in-law in her ‘last video’…

SCOTLAND's first minister Humza Yousaf posted a video online Friday (13) showing his British mother-in-law in Gaza tearfully deploring Israel's order to evacuate more than one million people from the north of the Palestinian enclave. "This will be my last video", Elizabeth al-Nakla, a UK citizen who was visiting relatives…

Royal Mint unveils coin designs inspired by King Charles

The Royal Mint has revealed eight new coin designs, showcasing King Charles' dedication to conservation and the natural world. Overseen by the king, the eight designs showcase the flora and fauna from different regions of the UK. The 1p coin displays a hazel dormouse, the 2p coin depicts a red squirrel,…

635 UK companies employ over 660,000 in India: Report

THERE are 635 UK companies operating in India with a combined turnover of approximately £51 billion and employing around 666,992 people, according to the 2023 edition of ‘Britain Meets India’ (BMI) report. The third edition of the report, launched by Grant Thornton Bharat in partnership with the Confederation of Indian…

UK and Ireland to host Euro 2028

THE UK and Ireland will co-host Euro 2028, while Italy and Turkey will be joint hosts of the 2032 tournament, UEFA announced. Both bids ran unopposed but still needed official approval from European football's governing body, which they received at a meeting in Switzerland. Turkey last week withdrew from the…

Conference season sets tone for pre-poll politics

TEAM captains at the cricket World Cup usually find it an advantage to bat second, to know what they must do to win the game. The 2023 party season broke with decades of political tradition by putting Rishi Sunak in to bat first, though the Liberals, Labour and the Conservatives…

Hardeep Kaur wins Saroj Lal award

A school teacher in Edinburgh has been awarded this year's Saroj Lal award for her pioneering spirit in promoting equality and diversity, a statement said. Hardeep Kaur, a biology teacher at Portobello High School in Edinburgh, received the award from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland). The award,…

Anas Sarwar believes Labour is on the brink of beating…

The Labour Party's leadership sees a turning point in Scottish politics, believing they can defeat the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the upcoming general and Holyrood elections following last week’s byelection result. According to party strategists, Labour's victory in Rutherglen and Hamilton West indicates their support has reached approximately 35%…

Starmer asserts Labour’s advantage in fixing ‘broken’ Britain

LABOUR leader Keir Starmer will appeal directly to British voters on Tuesday (10), saying his revamped opposition party is best placed to boost economic growth and offer the country the hope that "things will be better for your children". In a speech to his party's conference, possibly his last as…

Three arrested in London protests linked to Israel attack

THE Metropolitan Police arrested three people in Central London on Monday (9) involved in demonstrations following the attack in Israel and the escalation of conflict along the border with Gaza. Three arrests have been made for assault on an emergency worker, racially-motivated criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon,…

Humza Yousaf fears for wife’s parents ‘trapped’ in Gaza

SCOTLAND'S leader Humza Yousaf said on Monday (9) that his wife's parents were "trapped" in Gaza, leaving him worried if they will survive an attack by Israel The parents of Yousaf’s wife were in Gaza visiting family when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend. "They're trapped…

There’s global reckoning when it comes to colonisation: Siddharth Roy…

Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur believes it is the right time to bring author William Dalrymple’s The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company on screen as the world today is evaluating the effect of colonisation. His banner Roy Kapur Films and American studio Wiip officially announced the series…

Labour begins annual conference eyeing power

OPPOSITION Labour Party gathers in northern England this weekend for its annual conference seeking to cement its huge lead in opinion polls as it boasts of record business interest in its convention. Polls put Labour about 20 points ahead of prime minister Rishi Sunak's ruling Conservatives with an election expected…

‘Trailblazer’ Humza Yousaf appears on Time front cover

SCOTLAND’S first minister Humza Yousaf has appeared on the front cover of Time magazine which described him as one of the 10 “trailblazers shaping the future”. The recognition came on the eve of his Scottish National Party’s bigger-than-expected defeat in a parliamentary seat on the outskirts of Glasgow. Yousaf, born…

Labour secures ‘seismic’ victory in Scottish election

LABOUR hailed a "seismic" victory in an election for a UK parliamentary seat in Scotland, beating the Scottish National Party (SNP) in a sign of its recovery in the country before a national election expected next year. Labour is leading prime minister Rishi Sunak's Tories in the opinion polls, but…

Law firm Axiom Ince on brink of ‘collapse’

AXIOM INCE is set to collapse into administration following allegations of fraud at the law firm, media reports have said. It filed an application “to give notice of an intention to appoint an administrator”, the Law Society Gazette said, citing a court notice published on Monday (2). Axiom’s website has…

Met Police probe law firm amid fraud allegations

MET POLICE officers have opened an investigation into a law firm after allegations that its former boss misappropriated client money. The probe follows a referral from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) which noticed a £64 million hole in the client account of Axiom Ince. Axiom’s managing director Pragnesh Modhwadia has…

Britain concerned over disruption of Indian diplomat’s Sikh temple visit

A British government minister expressed concern that a visit by a senior Indian diplomat to a Sikh temple in Glasgow had been disrupted by protesters the day before. "The safety and security of foreign diplomats is of utmost importance and our places of worship in the UK must be open…

We want cricket to be our most inclusive team sport:…

AN INDEPENDENT regulator and investment in talent pathways for children from disadvantaged backgrounds are among the initiatives that will be implemented by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in its efforts to make cricket more inclusive, after a report found widespread discrimination across the sport. The ECB published its…

Glasgow approves UK’s first supervised drug consumption site

BRITAIN's first official supervised drug consumption room was approved on Wednesday (27), seeking to reduce infectious diseases and overdoses in Scotland which suffers from the highest level of drug-related deaths in Europe. Following similar projects in Europe, Canada and Australia, Glasgow city council, which runs the largest city in Scotland,…

Cost-of-living crisis expected to lead to increased early deaths: Study

The nation's inflation-driven cost-of-living crisis could have dire consequences potentially "cut lives short" and "significantly widen the wealth-health gap" a study published by the open-access journal BMJ Public Health on Monday (25) warned. According to the modelling for the study, there is a projected increase of nearly 6.5 per cent…

Braverman initiates review of police firearms regulations

Home secretary Suella Braverman has initiated a review of the legal protections for police officers engaged in firearms duties, in response to a rebellion within the ranks of Scotland Yard following the murder charge brought against a Metropolitan Police officer who discharged his weapon while on duty. The Ministry of…

Plaque linking Henry Dundas to slavery disappears amid ongoing controversy

A controversial plaque linking an 18th-century Scottish politician to slavery has mysteriously vanished, the Telegraph reported. The plaque, situated at the base of the Henry Dundas statue in Edinburgh, was removed on Monday (18) night, further fueling the ongoing dispute. Historians accused the plaque of inaccurately attributing the enslavement of…

Met aims 20 per cent increase in BAME representation by…

A CONCERTED effort to increase ethnic minority representation is part of cultural reforms within the Metropolitan Police service after it emerged that more than 1,000 officers are currently suspended or on restricted duties. Out of the Met’s workforce of about 34,000 officers, 201 are suspended and around 860 are on…

Ex-Met officers guilty of sharing racist jokes

FIVE former Metropolitan Police officers have been found guilty of sharing “grossly offensive racist messages” including mocking prime minister Rishi Sunak and other British Asian politicians. Peter Booth, 66, Robert Lewis, 62, Anthony Elsom, 67, Alan Hall, 65, and Trevor Lewton, 65 retired from the UK’s largest force between 2001…

New oil permits and wind farm crisis put net zero…

WITH the provision of a swathe of new oil and gas exploration licences and a crisis in offshore wind energy, clouds are gathering over the UK’s net zero promises. The Conservative government of Rishi Sunak in July promised “hundreds” of new licences for oil and gas exploration and production in…

Carers express frustration over Humza Yousaf’s inaction on poverty

People who had shared their personal stories with Humza Yousaf regarding their experiences living in poverty expressed their disappointment in the lack of concrete action in his first programme for government last week. Yousaf had convened a cross-party, cross-sector summit on poverty in May shortly after assuming leadership of the…

British Indian officer dismissed for using ‘unreasonable force’ during arrest

A British Indian police officer has been dismissed from Scotland Yard after a misconduct hearing found she had used “unreasonable force” on duty while arresting a man in north London two years ago. Police Constable Mandeep Dharni, attached to the Metropolitan Police’s north west Basic Command Unit (BCU) in London,…

Raised Jagtar Singh Johal’s case with Modi: Sunak

PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak said he had spoken with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi about the continued detention of a British Sikh human rights campaigner in the south Asian country. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in the northern state of Punjab when he was shopping with his wife in November…

Five key events from Charles III’s first year as king

Charles III commemorates his first year as king today (8). Here are five pivotal moments from his first year on the throne. - Inaugural address - Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022, Charles assumed the throne. During his…

Five former Met officers guilty of sharing racist slurs

FIVE former Metropolitan Police officers have been found guilty of sharing “grossly offensive racist messages” including mocking prime minister Rishi Sunak and other British Asian politicians. Peter Booth, 66, Robert Lewis, 62, Anthony Elsom, 67, Alan Hall, 65, and Trevor Lewton, 65 retired from the UK’s largest force between 2001…

GFG Alliance considers selling Clydebridge steel mill site

METALS tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance is considering selling its Clydebridge site, one of the two steel mills it acquired about seven years ago. The family-owned business group bought the mothballed steel plants at Clydebridge and Dalzell in a Scottish government-backed deal in 2016. Scottish Enterprises funded the takeover with…

Anas Sarwar unveils expert panel to advise Scottish Labour on…

SCOTTISH Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has unveiled an expert independent board to advise the party on economic growth. The panel consists of high-profile business leaders, including a media executive who appeared on The Apprentice, as reported by The Times. Sarwar said that the panel will focus on green energy, finance,…

Anas Sarwar: Yousaf put Scottish independence before economy

THE Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has alleged that first minister Humza Yousaf has prioritised independence over the economy, as reported by The Telegraph. Scottish GDP declined by 0.3 per cent in the second quarter from April to June. Yousaf assumed the top post on March 28. While addressing a…

‘Martin Luther King’s words still resonate, 60 years on’

IT was a speech that showed how much words can matter. America has been marking the sixtieth anniversary this week of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, delivered to the quarter of a million people who had marched on Washington in 1963 to demand civil rights. The moment…

Ahir Shah, Urooj Ashfaq win top honours at Edinburgh Comedy…

British Asian stand-up Ahir Shah has won the Best Show award at the 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Awards for his show Ends. Shah, who had previously been nominated for the top comedy prize at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2017 and 2018, dedicated the prize to his wife-to-be, and to his…

The Vogue 25: Line-up of the powerhouse women of the…

The annual Vogue 25 list has been a platform to honour remarkable women who are driving British society forward since its establishment in 2018. According to British Vogue, this year's lineup is not only incredibly impressive but also features pioneering individuals achieving success on their own terms, including some renowned…

South Asians help cricket expand in Europe

CRICKET, tapas and a TV advert featuring footballer Lionel Messi may seem like a strange combination, but it has been a winning one in helping to grow the sport in Spain and across Europe, thanks to the south Asian expatriate community. In Malaga, the Cartama Oval has become the new…

Exclusive: Out of touch Sunak needs to speak with us,…

A former cricketer has criticised the prime minister’s decision not to intervene on Lord Botham’s comments about racism in the sport. The peer told a podcast that he thought the England and Wales Cricket Board’s inquiry into racism, misogyny and elitism was a “waste of money”. Eastern Eye reported earlier…

Several cancer waiting time targets to be scrapped

Aiming to enhance early cancer detection, NHS authorities are set to eliminate approximately two-thirds of their cancer waiting time targets. The intention is to streamline the existing nine targets down to three, with the support of renowned cancer experts and the objective of modernising outdated standards, the BBC reported. However,…

Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli charged with sexual offences

SCOTTISH comedian and celebrity chef Hardeep Singh Kohli has been arrested and charged with “non-recent” sexual offences. Police Scotland said in a statement that the 54-year-old man, “arrested and charged in connection with allegations of non-recent sexual offences,” was released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later…

Captain Raj Aggarwal visits HMS Cardiff in Govan

CARDIFF businessman, pharmacist and public health expert, Captain Raj Aggarwal, has visited HMS Cardiff in Govan, Scotland. HMS Cardiff is the second of the Royal Navy’s next-generation submarine hunters. Currently, workers have started joining the two independently constructed sections of the ship together in River Clyde, a statement said. Following…

MY TOP 10: Inspiring moments of Priya Varunesh Kumar’s career

A MAJOR highlight of this month’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival will be the world premiere of Tandava, which is a thrilling new collaboration between British guitarist Simon Thacker and Bangalore based Piah Dance Company. The multi-layered music and dance production, being staged as part of the Made in Scotland showcase, adds…

Margaret Ferrier’s removal triggers electoral test for Labour in Scotland

A Scottish lawmaker has been stripped of her seat in Britain's parliament for breaking Covid rules, triggering a by-election that will indicate whether the opposition Labour party is recovering support from Scotland's dominant pro-independence party. Margaret Ferrier is a former lawmaker for the Scottish National Party (SNP) who represented Rutherglen…

Yousaf unveils Scottish citizenship and passport proposal

First minister Humza Yousaf of Scotland has unveiled a plan for citizenship and passports in the event of an independent Scotland. The proposal, titled "Citizenship in an independent Scotland," outlines the rights and entitlements of citizens, migrants, and British nationals following the country's potential departure from the union. The prospectus…

British zoos lead efforts to save Asian wildlife

A GROWING number of endangered animals from India – including elephants, lions and tigers – are being saved by zoos in Britain. London Zoo now houses dozens of species from south Asia, such as the gaur, blackbuck, red panda, greater flamingo, greater one-horned rhino and Kerala frog. The site in…

Open Door announces applications for acting and behind-the-scenes programmes

Award-winning charity Open Door has announced applications for their Acting and Behind the Scenes programmes are open, with auditions and interviews set to take place in September and October. Boasting 178 offers at leading drama schools so far and with a growing number of Open Door participants securing roles across television, film…

Full cast announced for the return of ‘The Father And…

The National Theatre has announced the full cast for Anupama Chandrasekhar’s critically acclaimed The Father and the Assassin, directed by the Kiln Theatre’s Artistic-Director, Indhu Rubasingham.  This gripping new play by one of India’s most exciting playwrights, returns to the Olivier Theatre from 8 September. Mahatma Gandhi: lawyer, champion of…

Union proposes 12% pay raise as solution to end NHS…

The British Medical Association (BMA) consultants committee chairman, Dr Vishal Sharma, has suggested that a pay rise of approximately 12% for NHS consultants could potentially end the ongoing strikes. Dr Sharma said that any offer above inflation would be sufficient to present to BMA members. The comments were made in…

Anas Sarwar and Preet Kaur Gill discuss cost of remittance…

SCOTTISH Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, and shadow minister for international development, Preet Kaur Gill, on Monday (17) visited Glasgow Central Mosque and Gurdwara Singh Sabha, a statement. They met local diaspora communities to hear about their experience of sending remittance payments to friends and family abroad as part of the…

Simon Thacker: Divine mix of music and dance

INTER-CULTURAL projects connected to India have enabled Simon Thacker to break musical boundaries. The Scottish classical guitarist, composer, improviser, and ensemble leader follows up stunning work, including founding acclaimed music group SvaraKanti, with his new production Tandava. The collaboration with India’s Piah Dance Company will have its world premiere at…

Revealed: Rabindranath Tagore’s muse who is buried in Edinburgh

EDINBURGH has many links with India, but the latest, most significant discovery is the exact location of the grave of Annapurna Turkhud, a Marathi woman who developed an affectionate relationship with the Bengali poet and Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore, when she was 20 and he was 17. Some scholars…

Doctors stage biggest walkout in NHS history

DOCTORS in England on Thursday (13) staged the biggest walkout in the history of the UK's state-funded National Health Service, prompting fears for patient safety. The unprecedented five-day stoppage over pay and staff retention is the latest in eight months of industrial action across the NHS, which is already reeling…

Study calls for ‘proactive policies’ to ensure equitable access to…

'PROACTIVE' policies and practices are needed to provide equitable access to social housing for ethnic minority communities in Scotland, new research concluded. The study, conducted by Shelter Scotland, CEMVO and Heriot-Watt University, said improvements should be made to housing systems and processes to ensure an "anti-racist" culture. There should also…

Poll: Humza Yousaf’s performance as first minister disappoints Scots

A new poll revealed that half of Scots believe the first minister is doing a bad job, while only a small minority (23 per cent) believe that he is performing well. According to the YouGov survey, fewer than a fifth of voters said that Humza Yousaf is performing well in key…

NHS has unacceptable levels of racism: Royal College of Psychiatrist…

LEVELS of racism in the NHS are unacceptable, the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned, as he cautioned that institutional racism “harms patients and drives psychiatrists and other health practitioners out” of the health service. In his valedictory address as president, Dr Adrian James also criticised employers…

Biden to meet King Charles, Sunak during UK visit

US president Joe Biden will arrive in Britain on Sunday (9) for a brief visit during which he will meet prime minister Rishi Sunak and discuss climate change issues with King Charles ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. The White House said the trip was designed "to further strengthen the…

Doctors push for stricter drink-driving limit for safer roads

In a bid to enhance road safety, doctors are calling for a tighter drink-driving limit in England and Wales,The Times reported. The current legal limit of 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood, set in 1967, is considered the highest in Europe. The British Medical Association (BMA), which deems the existing law…

Multi-faith prayers commemorate King Charles III’s Coronation celebration in Scotland

In a historic ceremony held in Edinburgh, Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla were presented with the crown jewels of Scotland on Wednesday (05). The event, commemorating the Coronation of the new monarch, featured blessings from leaders representing various faiths, including a Hindu priest. This multi-faith format was similar…

Quiz issues warning over ‘tough’ trading conditions

FASHION retailer Quiz has issued a warning over 'tough' trading conditions and projected a 'gloomy' outlook for the months ahead. The Glasgow-based firm reported a rise in annual profit but a slide in demand for its fashions more recently, The Times reported. It reported a pre-tax profit of £2.3 million…

‘You’ll experience something extraordinary’: Vidya Balan on new film ‘Neeyat’

Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who will next be seen in Neeyat recently got candid about working on her new project with the star cast of a murder mystery. She said, "You will experience something extraordinary after seeing the movie because of the exceptional star cast, which consists of many talented…

Britain celebrates 75th anniversary of National Health Service

Britain celebrates 75 years of its National Health Service (NHS) on Wednesday (05), with royals, politicians, staff, and patients who all express pride in its past and a firm determination that it will endure in the future, despite the challenges it currently faces. Launched on July 5, 1948, by a…

Yousaf’s plan for Scotland’s independence may not work: SNP MP

A VETERAN SNP MP has said first minister Humza Yousaf’s plan to secure Scotland’s independence is unlikely to succeed.Yousaf told an SNP conference in Dundee on June 24 that a referendum was the preferred way to break away from the UK. But if it fails, the SNP would ask people…

NHS to get more than 300,000 staff under ‘historic’ workforce…

THE National Health Service (NHS) in England will get more than 300,000 staff under a new plan announced by the government on Friday (30) to deal with a chronic shortage of doctors and nurses. The publicly funded NHS, which marks its 75th birthday on Wednesday (5), is facing an estimated…

Eid rush: UK barbers charge £100 to beat the queue

EID has become such a hectic time for barbers that some are charging people £100 to beat the queue for a haircut, it has emerged. Salons across the UK were set to be open overnight ahead of the Islamic festival which falls on Wednesday (28). And, with thousands of people…

Humza Yousaf seeks to foster ties with EU during Brussels…

SCOTTISH First Minister Humza Yousaf is set to travel to Brussels on Monday (26) in a bid to bolster ties with the EU, in his first foreign trip since succeeding Nicola Sturgeon in March. Yousaf, who became the leader of Scotland's devolved government following Sturgeon's shock resignation, vowed to set…

Yousaf vows to put IndyRef2 in election campaign

THE Scottish National Party (SNP) will fight the next UK general election with independence "front and centre" of its campaign, first minister Humza Yousaf said on Saturday (24). At a party conference in Dundee, Yousaf vowed he would seek fresh negotiations with the government about independence if the SNP wins…

Arthur’s Seat murder: Mother says Fawziyah Javed’s last words still…

THE mother of a woman pushed to death by her controlling husband in Edinburgh said her daughter’s last words expressing fear of death continued to haunt her.Fawziyah Javed, 31, an employment lawyer from Leeds, died after falling off a rocky cliff at Arthur’s Seat in the Scottish capital on September…

Check out the intriguing trailer of Vidya Balan’s ‘Neeyat’

Actress Vidya Balan is set to come up with a murder mystery titled Neeyat. Helmed by Anu Menon, the upcoming Hindi film also stars Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Neeraj Kabi, Shahana Goswami, Amrita Puri, Dipannita Sharma, Niki Walia, Shashank Arora, Prajakta Koli, and Danesh Razvi in pivotal roles. On Thursday,…

Windrush flag raised in 200 locations across Britain to mark…

MAJOR events will be held across Britain this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of Windrush on Thursday (22), a statement said. As part of the celebrations, the Windrush flag is being raised in more than 200 locations across England and Wales, including at the Houses of…

Labour to secure greater number of seats in Scotland than…

The opposition Labour Party is projected to secure more seats in Scotland than the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the next general election according to a recent poll conducted by Panelbase for The Sunday Times. This outcome would significantly enhance Labour's prospects of attaining an outright majority across Britain. The…

Protestors in England demand legalisation of abortion

Thousands of protesters marched through London, advocating for the decriminalisation of abortion on Saturday (17). The demonstration was sparked by the recent case of Carla Foster, who received a 28-month prison sentence for having a late abortion. The marchers chanted "Free Carla Foster" while displaying signs proclaiming "abortion is healthcare"…

Teachers in England schedule two additional strike days in July

Teachers in England will engage in a strike on July 5 and July 7, the National Education Union (NEU) Britain's largest education union, announced on Saturday (17). The industrial action is part of an ongoing pay and funding dispute with the government. These newly added dates supplement the previous at…

Indian-origin man stabbed to death in London

AN INDIAN-ORIGIN man has been stabbed to death in London, just two days after incidents of knife attacks in the UK which saw the deaths of a British Indian teen and a student from Hyderabad. Aravind Sasikumar, 38, was found with knife injuries on June 16 after officers were called…

Adil Rashid among British Asians recognised in King’s Birthday Honours…

ENGLAND’S world cup winning cricketer Adil Rashid is among the British Asian names recognised in King Charles’s inaugural Birthday Honours List announced today. With doctors, politicians, educators, authors, community leaders and philanthropists among the 11 per cent of recipients coming from an ethnic minority background, the list showcases the immense…

Sue Carr appointed as England’s first female Lord Chief Justice

Sue Carr has become the first woman to be appointed as the highest-ranking judge for England and Wales in a historic announcement on Thursday (15). Carr, 58, a distinguished UK lawyer with a veteran status was named as the successor to the current Lord Chief Justice, Ian Burnett, who is…

UK hospital doctors commence 72-hour walkout over pay

Hospital doctors in England have embarked on a new 72-hour strike over pay, commencing on Wednesday (14). This action has raised concerns among health officials, who anticipate significant disruptions to patient care and healthcare services. The strike, led by junior doctors below the consultant level, commenced at 7:00 am (0600…

Indian-origin woman stabbed to death in London

A 27-YEAR-OLD Indian-origin woman has been stabbed to death in north London. Scotland Yard on Wednesday (14) said two men were arrested in connection with the murder. The incident took place at a residential property in Neeld Crescent, Wembley on Tuesday (13). While the murder victim is yet to be…

Humza Yousaf says will not suspend predecessor Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland's leader Humza Yousaf said on Monday (12) he will not suspend the party membership of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, following her arrest as part of a police probe into the ruling party's finances. Sturgeon, who was on Sunday (11) arrested in connection with the investigation and then released without…

Humza Yousaf says SNP ready for deal with Labour

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has said his Scottish National Party (SNP) would be willing to do a deal with the Labour Party if a British national election expected next year resulted in a hung parliament. The top ask on the SNP's list would be a second Scottish independence referendum,…

India appeals for public help to identify London mission attack…

INDIA has released five videos and sought help from the general public in identifying suspects who attempted to vandalise the Indian mission in London in March this year. The nearly two-hour-long footage from CCTVs was posted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on its website and the link shared on…

Londoner jailed for glorifying terrorism on online platforms

A LONDONER has been jailed for four years for glorifying terrorism on online platforms. Mohammad Zubair Khan pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism offences at the Old Bailey after initially denying any wrongdoing. He came under the lens of Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) officers in June 2021 after a…

Nicola Sturgeon asserts innocence after arrest in SNP funding probe

Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was innocent following her arrest and subsequent detention for over seven hours on Sunday (11). The arrest took place as part of a police investigation into the allocation of funds for her pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP). The investigation centres around the…

I joined the British Army to create my story, says…

When Iqra Shazadi found out that no soldier had ever worn the hijab in the British Army, she was shocked, and this motivated her further to achieve her desire to join the army and do something more. She realised it was her chance to create “her story”. “There is a…

Humza Yousaf accused of ‘incompetence’ after sharp rise in waiting…

SCOTTISH first minister Humza Yousaf was accused of 'incompetence' after latest figures revealed a 39 per cent increase in the number of patients dying on waiting lists, reported The Times. Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, said that the fundamental basis of our National Health Service (NHS) was founded on the…

Nirad Chaudhuri biography a ‘new chapter’ about a ‘known Indian’

In the Indian literary world, this is quite big news. Prabhu Guptara, who runs a niche publishing house in the UK called Pippa Rann Books & Media (named after his late wife), tells me he is bringing out a fresh biography of Nirad C Chaudhuri next year to mark the…

Illegal migration law strips people’s right to safety, say charities

Britain's proposed illegal migration law will lead to more people missing vital medical treatment for fear of detention, large bills and deportation, say charities and health workers. The Illegal Migration Bill, currently making its way through parliament, would prevent tens of thousands of migrants arriving in the country via irregular…

Police Scotland is ‘institutionally racist’, admits chief constable

Police Scotland is "institutionally racist" and "discriminatory", the force's chief constable said, after a review into its culture. The admission by Iain Livingstone comes with wider concern about UK police, notably at the country's largest force, the Metropolitan Police in London. The independent review into Police Scotland, published on Wednesday…

Conference welcomes ‘bigger future plans for pharmacy’

Ministers are looking at the future of community pharmacy in England in a “bigger way” and have a vision to go “beyond the Scotland model”, the CEO of the Pharmaceutical Service Negotiating Committee has said. Community pharmacy in England has long campaigned for a Scotland-style “Pharmacy First” service which allows…

NatWest’s stake reduced as Britain sells £1.3 billion worth of…

NatWest, the state-backed bank formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland, has reached an agreement to repurchase its own shares worth £1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) from the government. This move marks a significant step towards transitioning the bank back to private ownership, a process initiated 15 years ago during the…

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston: ‘Diversity in the RAF…

The head of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, has said increased diversity in the armed forces is “mission critical” in future battles as he vowed to attract the “brightest and best of every single community”. Currently, 2.1 per cent of all RAF service personnel…

Anas Sarwar terms SNP a ‘dysfunctional political party’

The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called the Scottish National Party (SNP) 'dysfunctional' after the party paused its selection process for a key by-election, reported The Times. During his visit to Glasgow Girls FC, Sarwar said that the SNP was too focused on its internal issues to address the…

Pakistan appoints New Zealand’s Grant Bradburn as head coach

Pakistan have appointed former New Zealand all-rounder Grant Bradburn as the head coach of their men's team on a two-year deal after a successful spell as consultant, the country's cricket board (PCB) announced on Saturday (13). Bradburn was in charge during Pakistan's recent home series against New Zealand, where the…

Muslim, Jewish worshippers demand free parking in Aberdeen

Muslim and Jewish worshippers at Aberdeen, Scotland, have demanded free parking on holidays, a privilege now enjoyed by Christians on Sundays. The port city has waived charges for parking on Sundays until after 1pm which allows Christians to travel to church without a financial barrier or fear of having a…

Kier Starmer: Labour on course for general election success

The Conservatives suffered big losses last Friday (5) in the local election results, undermining prime minister Rishi Sunak’s attempts to revive the party’s fortunes - while Labour said it was on course to win the next national election, expected in 2024. The Tories’ worst fears were confirmed as results came…

Asians star in coronation concert at Windsor Castle

The coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday (7) featured the Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor, the Punjabi poet Daljit Nagra and several Asian women in bright pink outfits from the Bradford-based SongGeet choir. The “wonderful Sonam Kapoor”, described as “one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars”, introduced a virtual choir from…

Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff lock Eid 2024 for Bade…

Eid 2024 will be special for Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff's fans as their film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan has been locked for a festive release. On Friday, Akshay and Tiger took to their respective Instagram accounts and shared that the film will hit the theatres on Eid next year.…

Local elections 2023: Sunak ‘disappointed’ as Starmer eyes victory

The Conservatives suffered high-profile losses as results poured in Friday (6) in what is seen as prime Minister Rishi Sunak's first major electoral test since he took office last year.  Local council elections held across swathes of England on Thursday (4) with Britons experiencing the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. …

East London pensioner charged with murdering wife

An East London pensioner has been charged with murdering his 77-year-old wife after admitting he had assaulted her. Tarsame Singh, 80, walked into a police station on Tuesday (2) night, saying he had battered Maya Devi, a retired postmistress, at their home in Cowdray Way, Elm Park. Officers and paramedics…

Trump criticises Biden for not attending Coronation of King Charles…

Donald Trump criticised President Joe Biden for not attending the coronation of King Charles III, as he toured Scotland and Ireland. Trump, who is running for president in the upcoming elections, called Biden's decision to skip the London event "disrespectful." However, UK and US officials noted that it is in…

Met slammed for pursuing legal costs from officer who lost…

A staff association has slammed the Metropolitan Police for pursuing legal costs from an officer who lost a discrimination case against the force. Homicide detective Kam Sodhi had moved London’s central employment tribunal last year alleging she had been harassed because of her race and sex, having previously settled a…

Comment: Timeless Coronation will recognise a changing Britain

What is a Coronation for? The King succeeded to the throne automatically at the moment that his mother died last September. But his formal accession naturally played second fiddle to the mourning period for the late Queen last autumn. It is this spring Coronation that offers the monarch an opportunity…

Coronation of King Charles III: Meet the royal and political…

The upcoming coronation of King Charles III will involve numerous historical roles, many of which have been adapted to suit the present day. Buckingham Palace stated that those chosen for these roles were selected to acknowledge, thank, and represent the nation for their notable contributions. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin…

Jock Zonfrillo, MasterChef Australia judge and author, dies at 46

Jock Zonfrillo, judge on MasterChef Australia, celebrity chef, and author, has died. He was 46. In a statement shared on his official Instagram account, Zonfrillo's family said the Scottish restaurateur died in Melbourne on Sunday. “With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without…

Indian man arrested in UK on US extradition warrant denied…

Sundar Nagarajan, 65, an Indian national with addresses in the UK and Belgium, was arrested by Scotland Yard in London on a US extradition warrant as part of a coordinated UK-US action against terrorism financing. During his appearance via video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (25), Nagarajan's lawyer…

Coronation of King Charles III: Celebrating 1000 years of Westminster…

For nearly a thousand years, Westminster Abbey has held a vital role in the history of Britain's royal family. The story of the abbey dates back to the 960s when a Benedictine monastery was established on the site. King Edward the Confessor ordered the construction of a stone church in…

Coronation of King Charles III promises a treasure trove of…

The upcoming coronation of King Charles III promises to display a remarkable collection of artifacts and the most exquisite gems from around the globe. These items not only captivate the eyes but also establish a tangible and symbolic connection with the bygone era. Here's a sneak peek of some noteworthy…

Humza Yousaf demands independence referendum in first meeting with Rishi…

Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf has urged Rishi Sunak to 'respect the democratic wishes' of the Parliament and demanded the power to hold an independence referendum. In response, the Prime Minister asked Yousaf to work with the UK government on tackling the cost of living crisis, The Telegraph reported. In…

Coronation of King Charles III: A guide to the celebrations

On Saturday, May 6, the coronation of King Charles III and his wife Camilla as queen will be the highlight of a weekend of celebrations. The King's Procession The day's proceedings will commence with the "King's Procession," a 1.3-mile (two-kilometre) journey from Buckingham Palace in central London to Westminster Abbey.…

Indian man on US extradition warrant arrested in London

As part of a joint UK-US operation against financing terrorism, a person of Indian nationality with address in the UK and Belgium was apprehended in London by Scotland Yard. He was on an extradition warrant from the US. Sundar Nagarajan, who also goes by Nagarajan Sundar Poongulam Kasiviswanathan Naga and…

SNP funding probe: Former treasurer Colin Beattie released

Police in Scotland said a 71-year-old man who was arrested on Tuesday (18) in connection with an investigation into the Scottish National Party's funding was released without charge. Police had arrested the suspect in its ongoing inquiry. The party's leader said the arrested man was the SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.…

Limits for U25 gamblers to be expected amidst UK gambling…

As the UK government prepares to make significant changes to the gambling legislation, young online gamblers under the age of 25 may soon face strict limits on the amount they can bet. Ministers are said to be considering caps on online slot game bets, ranging from £2 to £15, with…

SNP treasurer arrested as part of funding investigation

The treasurer of the Scottish National Party was taken into custody by police on Tuesday (18), a party official said. This was part of a probe into the finances of the pro-independence party that is currently in power. The police did not disclose the name of the 71-year-old man who…

Bestway Group’s Well Pharmacy to acquire Lexon UK and Asurex

One of Britain’s leading pharmacists has announced the acquisition of Lexon UK Holdings and Asurex Limited, a family-owned pharmaceutical wholesaler with a presence in England, Scotland and Ireland. Bestway Group subsidiary Well Pharmacy said the deal would benefit both community pharmacists and patients. Lexon has five depots in Redditch, Leeds,…

Bhavan’s Nandakumara, Wockhardt UK executive Limaye chosen for honorary British…

Wockhardt UK managing director Ravindra Limaye and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK’s executive director Mattur Nandakumara have been chosen for honorary British awards given to foreign nationals. Limaye gets the Order of the British Empire (OBE) honour for his contribution to health, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nandakumara has been selected…

London burglars who often targetted Asians jailed

A “prolific” group of four burglars who often struck Asians across London, targeting them for their high-value gold, has been jailed. They stole jewellery worth £39,695 and £13,340 in cash by targeting the elderly and vulnerable during their burglary spree which lasted a little more than two months last year.…

Timing of Murrell’s arrest has nothing to do with SNP…

SCOTLAND’S first minister Humza Yousaf has denied there was any political reason over the timing of the arrest of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon’s husband. Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), was arrested and released on Wedensday (5) as part of an investigation into the…

Optician convicted of pushing his wife to death at Arthur’s…

A WEST YORKSHIRE optician has been convicted of murdering his pregnant wife by pushing her off a rocky cliff at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.Fawziyah Javed suffered serious head injuries due to her fall from a height of 50 ft on September 1, 2021 but she told a police officer during…

Best British Asian movies across the decades, ahead of Polite…

Polite Society, the kung fu-inspired comedy-drama, in cinemas now, revolves around an aspiring stunt woman who decides to commit a wedding heist and finds herself up against a formidable fighting foe. To mark its release, Eastern Eye put together a list of the top 10 British Asian movies, in chronological…

Humza Yousaf’s journey to political success began during school days

Humza Yousaf set new records last month. He became the only Muslim leader of a major UK political party and the first person with an ethnic minority background to lead Scotland’s government. But his journey to political success started during his school days when he inculcated a solid work culture…

Cricket Scotland chairman resigns amid criticism over handling of racism…

Chairman of Cricket Scotland, Anjan Luthra, has resigned from his post following criticism of his and the organisation's efforts to tackle racism. He claims that attempts to improve the game were being undermined by lobbyists. This comes after four members of Cricket Scotland's equality, diversity, and inclusion advisory group resigned…

Yousaf breaks Ramadan fast in Bute House as climate protests…

Humza Yousaf was sworn in as the first minister of Scotland at the Court of Session following his first night in his official residence, during which he led Ramadan prayers with his family. In the customary ceremony, Yousaf pledged his allegiance to the King, and to fulfill his duties as…

Issa brothers hatch £8bn plan to takeover Subway

British Indian billionaire Issa brothers are eyeing to takeover fast food chain Subway for around £8 billion, according to reports. The Asda owners and EG Group founders- Mohsin, 51, and Zuber Issa, 50, feel that the global restaurants chain will be an 'ideal fit' for their business empire, The Sun…

Sunak, Yousaf have ‘big responsibility’ to leave behind a positive…

Humza Yousaf on Monday (27) became the first Muslim to be elected as a national leader in any western democracy, five months after Sunak walked into Downing Street as the UK’s first Asian and Hindu prime minister. A prominent Asian parliamentarian told Eastern Eye on Tuesday (28) that both appointments…

Yousaf sworn in as Scotland’s new leader amid party row

Humza Yousaf was sworn in as Scotland's first minister on Wednesday (29), becoming the first Muslim leader of a government in western Europe but already facing unrest in his party. At 37, Yousaf is also the youngest leader yet of the Scottish National Party (SNP), and is vowing to reinvigorate…

Humza Yousaf confirmed as new Scottish leader

Scotland's parliament on Tuesday (28) confirmed Humza Yousaf will replace Nicola Sturgeon as first minister, the devolved nation's youngest and the first Muslim leader of a government in western Europe. Yousaf, 37, narrowly won a Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership battle on Monday (27) to clinch the party's top job,…

Humza Yousuf: ‘We will be the generation that delivers independence…

Humza Yousaf has been elected as the first Muslim leader of Scotland after a tough party contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon. At 37, he is also the youngest leader of the SNP but now faces the challenging task of uniting the Scottish National Party (SNP) around their independence bid. Yousaf's…

Humza Yousaf, the history-maker

“IT is hard for me to find the words”. Humza Yousaf’s emotional response to the news that he has been elected as the Scottish National Party (SNP)’s new leader captures his role as a history-maker. Yousaf’s victory in a bruising leadership contest heralds an unpredictable new era, where the future…

Yousaf pays tribute to grandparents as he vows to deliver…

Scotland's next first minister Humza Yousaf has pledged to deliver independence for his country and return it to the European Union. In his acceptance speech on Monday (27), when he became the first Asian elected to lead the Scottish National Party (SNP), Yousaf also paid tribute to his grandparents and…

Humza Yousaf wins SNP race to lead Scotland

Pakistan-origin politician Humza Yousaf has been elected to be Scotland's next leader. The 37-year-old practising Muslim will succeed Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the governing Scottish National Party (SNP). The Scottish government’s first and only Muslim cabinet minister will be sworn in as Scotland's leader on Wednesday (29) if he…

Scotland set for new leader as independence quest stalls

A new Scottish first minister will be named on Monday (27), with the leader facing the daunting task of reviving a faltering independence movement after Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation. Members of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) wrap up two weeks of voting at midday, with the result to be…

Cricket Scotland is ‘unfit for purpose’, alleges solicitor Aamer Anwar

Senior Scottish lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represented two former cricket players who faced racist abuse, has alleged that Cricket Scotland remains 'unfit for purpose', reported The Times. Anwar's comments came after Cricket Scotland’s interim chief executive Gordon Arthur announced his decision to stand down next month. Credited with stabilising the…

Khalistan protests: Security beefed up around Indian mission in UK

On Monday (20) increased security measures were implemented around the Indian High Commission following an act of vandalism committed by Khalistan supporters on Sunday (19). Scotland Yard detained one person in relation to the incident. India has requested that the UK take swift action to arrest and prosecute all individuals…

‘Disruption in UK pharmacy sector is frightful and awful’

BRITAIN’S pharmacy sector is in crisis and at risk of a significant collapse, according to Janet Morrison, chief of the team that negotiates pharmacy’s national contract with the government.   Pharmacy, which relies heavily on income from prescriptions, cannot afford to “carry on with the current format of a contract…

SNP’s voter base shrinks to 72,000 after 2019 peak

The number of voting members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has shrunk dramatically from its pre-pandemic peak.It now has 72,186 members eligible to vote in the ongoing leadership contest, compared with 125,000 in 2019 when the membership size topped out - clocking a decline of about 42 per cent…

KTC, leading supplier of edible oils, acquires Cardowan Creameries Ltd

KTC (Edibles) Limited, the UK’s leading supplier of edible oils to foodservice, wholesalers, and food manufacturers, has acquired Cardowan Creameries Limited. Established in 1930 as an independent family business based in Scotland, Cardowan is a specialist margarine manufacturer, supplying over 20,000 metric tonnes annually to manufacturers and wholesalers across the…

UK budget: Working parents in England offered 30-hour free childcare

Jeremy Hunt, chancellor of the exchequer, announced on Wednesday (15) that most working parents in England will be offered 30 hours of free childcare for their under-fives, to ease cost-of-living pressures on families. The policy, part of the government's tax and spending plans unveiled in the budget, will eventually apply…

Indian soldiers who died in World Wars honoured on Commonwealth…

At the annual Commonwealth Day ceremony on Monday (13), soldiers from the Indian subcontinent who lost their lives in the two World Wars were honoured alongside service members from the Commonwealth. The Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill played host to defence personnel and diplomats, including Indian high commissioner to the…

Humza Yousaf vows to ‘use any means necessary’ for Scotland’s…

SNP leadership hopeful Humza Yousaf said he would go all out to press for Scotland's independence if he succeeds Nicola Sturgeon as the first minister of the country.The Scottish health secretary, who is among three aspirants left in the fray for his party’s leadership, said he would use "any means…

Voting starts for new Scotland leader as Sturgeon’s allies back…

Voting to elect a new Scottish leader opened on Monday (13), with all three candidates pledging to reinvigorate outgoing first minister Nicola Sturgeon's push for independence. Sturgeon's independence drive hit trouble after the UK government blocked her plans to hold a fresh referendum on the issue. The vote is the…

GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards: Rishi Sunak wins top award

PRIME minister Rishi Sunak, Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham and pathbreaking lawyer Ayesha Vardag were among the winners at the annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards, held at the Park Plaza hotel on Tuesday (7). Sunak took home the coveted GG2 Hammer Award for smashing through the ultimate glass ceiling by…

SNP accused of violating press freedom by denying media access…

A journalist has accused the Scottish National Party (SNP) of imposing curbs on the media by restricting access to reporters to its leadership hustings. Daily Record political editor Paul Hutcheon said barring journalists from attending would give the impression that the SNP is less transparent than the Conservatives, the BBC…

UK’s PM vows economic win for N.Ireland from Brexit breakthrough

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday (28) urged pro-UK politicians in Northern Ireland to grab the economic "prize" on offer after he secured a breakthrough reform deal with the European Union. On a visit to the tense province, Sunak said he was "over the moon" at clinching the pact…

Legal age rises to 18 in England and Wales to…

A NEW law raising the legal age for marriage in England and Wales to 18 years came into force on Monday (27), aimed at protecting vulnerable young people from being forced into weddings against their will. Until now, those aged 16 or 17 could get married with parental consent as…

Humza Yousaf says he skipped gay marriage vote due to…

SNP leadership candidate Humza Yousaf has said that he missed the final vote on Scotland's equal marriage legislation in 2014  due to an 'unavoidable' engagement about a death row prisoner in Pakistan. Alex Neil, who was in charge of the legislation eight years ago, alleged that Yousaf skipped the final…

Hero Indian Open: Chawrasia returns to favourite hunting ground

TWO-TIME champion SSP Chawrasia will look to rekindle his love affair with the Hero Indian Open as he and Shubhankar Sharma eye glory at the country’s flagship golf event began at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram on Thursday (23). With a prize money of $2 million (…

Former Asian Met policewoman accuses force of victimising her over…

A FORMER officer of Metropolitan Police has accused the department of targeting her for being a whistleblower on alleged racism. According to her, it happened after she faced the threat of legal action over a memoir she penned detailing her sour experience in service. However, despite the legal and other…

Chef Asma Khan: ‘There’s a lot of bias among investors…

CHEF Asma Khan has said Britain is still paying a very high price after the UK left the European Union. Khan, who set up her restaurant, Darjeeling Express, in central London, said a shortage of staff hit the hospitality industry, especially in London. She told The Telegraph, “The backbone of…

Humza Yousaf to run for Scotland’s leadership

SCOTTISH health secretary Humza Yousaf said on Saturday he would run in the leadership contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and first minister.Yousaf becomes the first to publicly announce his intention to stand in the race after Sturgeon's surprise resignation earlier in the week saying…

SNP MPs with south Asian links among contenders to succeed…

Two SNP MPs who have south Asian connections are among the possible contenders to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as the first minister of Scotland.Sturgeon announced her resignation dramatically Wednesday after more than eight eventful years in office, setting off the race for a new leader to deliver on her party's faltering…

Cost of living impacts access to prescription medicines – RPS…

The results of a survey conducted by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) have revealed that pharmacists in England are reporting that the rising cost of living is affecting patients' ability to pay for their prescribed medications. According to the RPS, the survey was conducted among its community pharmacist members in…

‘Local monitoring and interventions’ needed to prevent homelessness among ethnic…

A new policy paper has called for targeted interventions to end homelessness among ethnic minorities in UK as it found stark inequalities in this segment in the country, a statement said. According to the policy paper, Bangladeshi, black African, black Other, and Pakistani groups are more than twice as likely…

India topples France as UK’s largest Scotch whisky market

India has overtaken France to become the UK’s largest market of Scotch whisky in terms of volume with a 60 per cent hike in imports in 2022 over the previous year, according to the latest figures released by Scotland’s leading industry body. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) revealed on Friday…

£1.6m seized in Scots tax cheat case after thousands of…

In one of the largest tax-settlement cases in Scotland, a 44-year-old man from East Lothian has been asked to pay back unpaid tax worth £600,000 following a raid at his residence and seizure of £1million from a number of his bank accounts. According to Daily Record, Goljar Singh was tracked…

Judge sentences Scotland Yard ex-officer to 36 life terms for…

In a shocking case that has dominated headlines in the UK, an Indian-origin judge on Tuesday handed down 36 life sentences to a serial rapist convicted of violent and brutal sexual offences against a dozen women over a 17-year period as a Scotland Yard police officer. Justice Parmjit Kaur "Bobbie"…

Meet Navjot Sawhney and Khalid Raza – winners of Rishi…

Sikh engineer Navjot Sawhney, who created hand-cranked washing machine to support families worldwide and Glasgow charity founder Khalid Raza, who recycles wheelchairs for the disabled, have won the UK prime minister Rishi Sunak's Points of Light Award. Sawhney set up the Washing Machine Project four years ago which can be…

Top 30 under 30 Asians from the world of entertainment

THE future in the world of arts belonging to the young is perfectly illustrated by a new generation of south Asians who stood out in diverse fields. These exciting talents are breaking boundaries, expanding horizons, shattering glass ceilings, and delighting audiences with their amazing performances. They are inspiring other youngsters…

Photo artist puts focus on Asian female identity and heritage

IN HER quest to carve a space for Asians in UK’s art world, photographic artist Arpita Shah hopes to elicit and celebrate the country’s multicultural history, with a focus on south Asian female identity. Commissioned by Birmingham-based arts organisation GRAIN Projects and funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City…

Cricket Scotland CEO denies stereotyping ethnic minorities

Cricket Scotland’s chief executive officer Gordon Arthur has denied his comments on barriers ethnic minorities faced in cricket had racist connotations. He told the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of Scottish Parliament that he had the cricket administrator’s new chairman Anjan Luthra in mind when he made the remark.In…

MP urges UK government to ‘redouble efforts’ for Jagtar Singh…

Scottish National Party MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has urged the UK government to secure the release of a Sikh campaigner who has been in the custody of Indian authorities for more than five years. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in Punjab when he was shopping with his wife in November 2017.…

How the UK Gambling Market Is Growing

Out of the many industries that exist around the world, some significantly outperform others in terms of financial performance. They see almost continuous overall growth and attract numerous new clients each year. Gambling is one industry that is experiencing expansive growth. Starting as a pastime that allowed players to try…

UK government to block controversial Scottish gender law

The UK government will block Scotland's controversial gender reform bill, Scotland Secretary Alister Jack said on Monday in a move that is likely to set up a legal showdown between the two governments. Jack said he was concerned that the move by the devolved legislature in Edinburgh to make it…

Resetting ties, UK’s Sunak to have private dinner with Scotland’s…

British prime minister Rishi Sunak will travel to Scotland and meet first minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday (19) for a private working dinner, as part of efforts to reset the two nations' strained ties. Sunak makes his first official visit to Scotland since taking office in October at a time…

161 Met officers on restricted duties over racism, sexual misconduct…

There has been a rise in the number of Metropolitan Police officers put on restricted duties because of ongoing investigations into allegations of racism or sexual misconduct levelled against them.While 43 officers were not allowed to hold public-facing roles at the end of November because of the allegations of racism,…

‘Alcohol goes to your brain within five minutes’: Neurosurgeon warns…

According to data from the NHS, 1 in 3 drivers who are killed in road traffic accidents is over the legal alcohol limit. Also, each year, there are reportedly 280 fatalities due to drink driving. After losing his 18-year-old son to drink driving, a US-based neurosurgeon Dr Brian Hoeflinger has…

More Black, Asian heritage donors needed to help patients seeking…

A new report published on Thursday (12) by NHS Blood and Transplant has shown that there is a significant requirement for more organ donors of Black and Asian heritage to help the growing number of patients seeking life-saving transplants. NHS Blood and Transplant is a joint England and Wales Special…

Trainee officer sacked over concerns about his hearing ability wins…

A trainee officer sacked from the Met Police has won a discrimination claim against the force.Shafi Karim worked as a probationary officer for five before he was dismissed in 2021 after his bosses raised concerns about his hearing abilities. He was advised to use a Rogers Pen wireless microphone as…

UK brings in negative COVID test requirement for travellers from…

The UK has joined a growing list of countries, including India, to introduce curbs on travellers from China amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country after Chinese authorities relaxed the strict "zero-COVID" rules. Passengers arriving from China to England from January 5, 2023, will need to show a…

New Year honours: Professor Partha Dasgupta leads British Asian recognition…

A Cambridge professor who is a leading global figure in the economics of the natural environment, Professor Sir Partha Sarathi Dasgupta; COP-26 president Alok Sharma and drinks company Diageo’s CEO Ivan Menezes are among prominent Asians who have been recognised in the New Year Honour’s List published late last Friday…

TV presenter Ranvir Singh says her success is ‘f*ck you’…

British journalist and television presenter Ranvir Singh has said her colleagues’ refusal to call out discrimination at the workplace during the early years of her career motivated her to become who she is today.Singh, who appears in ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme, said when people around ignored her, she made…

Ex-Met officer who paid woman for sex during Covid lockdown…

A former Met Police officer, found guilty of misconduct during pandemic restrictions, has been barred from returning to any policing role.Hassan Mahmood visited a woman in her house in Mitcham in south London in January 2021 and paid her for sex. He was fined £660 at the City of London…

Plans for British Indian Army memorial in Glasgow get go-ahead

Plans to set up a memorial to the British Indian Army in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow have been given a go-ahead. The plans for the structure, which will be erected near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, were submitted on behalf of Colourful Heritage, which records first-hand accounts from first-generation members…

India: Bombay HC quashes FIR against UK national for carrying…

The Bombay High Court has quashed an FIR and subsequent charge sheet filed against a United Kingdom citizen for carrying a satellite phone.The HC said the offence was non-cognizable in nature and, hence, the police could not have registered a case without permission of the magistrate.A division bench of Justices…

Social workers being deployed at Scottish hospitals to ease pressure

Social care workers are being deployed to crowded hospitals in Scotland to cope with pressure during the Christmas season. Shortages of hospital beds have resulted in long queues of patients at hospitals and the cold weather during December and early January could compound the situation with surges in Covid-19 and…

Sunak ‘disappointed’ by disruption caused by strikes

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Friday he was disappointed about disruption caused by strikes by unions representing workers in sectors including rail, health and border staff. "I'm really sad and disappointed about the disruption that has been caused to so many people's lives, particularly at Christmas time," Sunak…

Sunak: Concerns about Scotland’s gender reforms should be examined

British Prime Minster Rishi Sunak said it was "completely reasonable" for his government to examine transgender reforms passed in Scotland on Thursday given concerns raised by campaigners about the impact on women's safety. "Lots of people have got concerns about this new bill in Scotland, about the impact it will…

Scotland passes bill making it easier to change gender

Scotland's parliament on Thursday approved disputed reforms that make it easier for transgender people to change their legal gender, including removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and lowering the minimum age to 16 from 18. The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) bill passed by 86 votes to…

Police investigate Tory MP Bob Stewart for ‘racist’ comments on…

Conservative MP Bob Stewart is being investigated after being accused of racially abusing a Bahraini rights activist. Sayed Alwadaei, who had fled his native country in 2012 after being jailed and tortured for taking part in pro-democracy protests, complained to the Met Police that Stewart told him to “get stuffed”…

NHS won’t survive unless we start making fundamental reform: Sajid…

Former health secretary Sajid Javid has called for an “honest debate” on funding the NHS to make the health organisation sustainable for the future.He did not specify how it should be funded but suggested the UK should emulate Germany and France which run hybrid health systems.In Germany, employees pay seven…

Discrimination in hiring best way to convince people about racism:…

Highlighting an Oxford University research on race-based inequalities in hiring is the best way to convince people that racism is a real problem, a new study found.Reframing Race, a charity, presented several anti-racism arguments to close to 20,000 people in England and Scotland to understand which message moved the respondents…

Heavy snow disrupts UK travel; three boys die after falling…

Heavy snowfall blanketed parts of Britain on Monday, disrupting airports, train networks and roads, and three young boys died after falling into an ice-covered lake as the country recorded its coldest night of the year so far. Parts of London's underground network were suspended or faced delays, while motorways were…

Over 250 fall sick in UK due to E. coli…

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has just revealed that more than 250 people in the UK have been struck down by a virulent form of food poisoning that is possibly linked to lettuce grown in the country. Though the food poisoning cases apparently occurred through the months of August to…

Man who kicked his partner and called her ‘w****’ spared…

A 32-year-old man who kicked his partner and called her a "w****" has been spared a prison sentence but subjected to an 18-month community order. Mohammed Raza of Dundee, who pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage is also prohibited from contacting the woman for five years. The pair…

First King Charles 50 pence coins enter circulation in the…

The first coinage featuring King Charles III will start to appear in circulation at Post Offices around the UK from Thursday, with millions of the new 50-pence coins bearing the new monarch’s portrait given out as change to customers. The coin with the 74-year-old monarch’s image reflects a transition from…

EXCLUSIVE: Shame of ‘All-White’ BBC newsrooms

THE BBC should be ashamed that it has radio and television stations where newsrooms are entirely white and not representing the communities they serve. That is the feeling of current staff and former employees who have spoken to Eastern Eye. They said they warned the BBC that it would not…

Cumbria coal mine project will dent UK reputation, says ex-climate…

Tory politician and the president of the Cop26 climate summit, Alok Sharma, has attacked plans to open the Cumbria coal mine in north west England, bordering Scotland. He opined that the project is a ‘backward step’ and would hit UK's 'hard-earned' international reputation. Sharma added that the project is unnecessary…

My turban reminds me to protect and serve: Met Police…

Met Police Sikh Association chair Ravjeet Gupta has said his turban reminds him to protect and serve. In a blog published on the Met Police website following the 25th anniversary of the Association, Gupta spoke about the role his faith plays in keeping London safe. He said Sikhism believes “in…

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK observes Parliament week

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK has hosted activities in 44 shakhas (branches) across the country as part of the UK Parliament week observations for the sixth year, a statement said. UK Parliament week, which takes place in November, targets to involve the entire young population, including members of the…

Advik Mittal, 8, becomes Britain’s youngest to complete mental maths…

A eight-year-old Glasgow school student has become the youngest in UK to complete Abacus mental maths programme, one of the most advanced mental arithmetic programmes in the country. Chess prodigy and Glasgow’s St Patrick’s Primary School pupil Advik Mittal, 8, has been selected to represented Scotland in the under 12…

Woman with down syndrome loses legal challenge to abortion law…

Media reports inform that under the current legislation for England, Wales, and Scotland, there is a 24-week time limit for having an abortion, however, the law allows up until birth if "there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental…

Sunak: People of Scotland want us to focus on challenges…

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday (23) that he respected the decision by the UK's top court on Scotland's referendum vote, adding that the Scottish people wanted the government to focus on the major challenges ahead. Asked about the Supreme Court ruling, Sunak said: "I think that the people…

Blow for Scottish nationalists as UK court rejects independence vote…

The UK's top court ruled on Wednesday (23) that the Scottish government cannot hold a second referendum on independence without approval from the British parliament, dealing a hammer blow to nationalists' hopes of holding a vote next year. In 2014, Scots rejected ending the more-than 300-year-old union with England by…

Sport sparks identity and inclusion debate

ENGLAND winning consistently at cricket still feels a little bit out of character. Yet last weekend’s World Cup victory makes England champions in both the 20-over and 50-over formats, after a sweeping defeat of India in the semi-final was followed by a strong bowling performance that put the final beyond…

Women with benign lumps 96% more likely to develop breast…

Research shows that those women who find a non-cancerous lump or cyst in the breast are at double the risk of cancer developing later in life. A study of 800,000 Spanish women who were screened for breast cancer discovered that women with a benign lump were 96% more likely to…

Retailers rewarded for resilience

INSPIRATIONAL grocers were recognised for their achievements during a period of economic challenges and personal loss for the sector at the 33rd Asian Trader Awards, which took place at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Hotel last Wednesday (9). The top award of the evening – the Asian Trader of the Year…

40 per cent of Londoners could default on their rent:…

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Monday (14) said 40 per cent of Londoners think that they will struggle to meet their rent payments as he sought to bring together private renters, charities, advocacy groups, and politicians to call on the government to tackle the capital's spiralling rental crisis urgently, a…

Indians make up largest foreign-born residents in England and Wales:…

Nearly one in six people living in England and Wales last year were born outside the country and Indians constituted the largest chunk at 1.5 per cent of residents, according to latest statistics based on the country's 2021 census data. The UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that India…

Nine police officers under investigations over racist conversations on duty

A top watchdog has opened investigations into the allegations that police officers responsible for guarding nuclear facilities and materials were engaged in racist and other offensive conversations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its two probes would look into the accusations that nine officers of the Civil Nuclear…

Sunak reverses decision on COP27, says will attend climate summit

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday (2) that he will attend the COP27 climate summit in Egypt next week, reversing his previous decision to skip the meeting in Sharm El Sheikh to focus on domestic issues and the economic crisis in the UK. Sunak took to Twitter to…

Sunak defends decision not to attend COP27 climate summit

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday defended his heavily criticised decision not to attend next month's COP27 climate change summit, saying he had to focus on "pressing" economic problems. In an interview with Sky News a day after Downing Street announced he was skipping the summit, the prime minister…

“Succeed or fail, Sunak will be held to a higher…

I’m a patriot, I’m proud to be British, but I’m also realistic, writes Barnie Choudhury. It pains me to have to justify myself. Yet I feel I must. Why? Because I am a brown man, who was not born in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. I am an immigrant,…

EXCLUSIVE: “The best Diwali present ever” say Tory Parliamentarians

In a momentous day, Britain’s first south Asian prime minister, who became the Conservative Party leader on Diwali day [24], has vowed to unite the country and his riven party. Speaking on the steps of Number 10, Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, told the country that he would be a…

‘New dawn’ for UK, ‘Death of Democracy’: Britain’s new PM…

Indian-origin Rishi Sunak on Tuesday witnessed both bricks and bouquets from the UK media as he scripted history by becoming the first person of colour to become the Prime Minister of Britain, which in the past had colonised most of the world, with some news outlets acknowledging his leadership as…

Bangladeshi man ‘mauled by dog’ while on London holiday spends…

A Bangladeshi man experienced his worst ever holiday in life after he was allegedly mauled by a dog while in London last month. Businessman Md Mahbubar Rashid Jewel, 52, said that following the attack he couldn't sleep because of the pain. The Asian man also lost £700 on flights and…

See you on the other side: Harry Potter actor Rupert…

British actor Rupert Grint is the newest cast member from The 'Harry Potter' movie franchise who has shared a heartfelt tribute for his late co-star Robbie Coltrane who recently passed away at the age of 72. According to Variety, taking to Instagram Grint shared an image of Robbie, who played…

Review into Met Police’s culture to pitch for easier sacking…

A much-awaited review into the Metropolitan Police’s culture and standards is pitching for easing of procedures to sack misogynist and racist officers of the force, media reports said. According to the probe by Baroness Louise Casey, too many “abhorrent” individuals continued to remain on the frontline of Scotland Yard because…

Daniel Radcliffe, JK Rowling share heartfelt tributes remembering late Harry…

British actor Daniel Radcliffe and JK Rowling, the author of the 'Harry Potter' books on which the films are based, have shared statements following the death of Robbie Coltrane at 72, who famously played the role of Rubeus Hagrid in the franchise. Coltrane and Radcliffe starred together in all eight…

Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in Harry Potter movies, passes…

Actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for playing Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in 'Harry Potter' films, is no more. As per Deadline, Robbie died in hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. The award-winning actor had been suffering from ill health for the past two years. He was 72. Robbie was…

Not working to Diwali deadline for India trade pact, says…

The free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with India are no longer working towards a Diwali deadline, UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has confirmed. During a visit to a Scotch whisky distillery on Thursday, the Cabinet minister in charge of the FTA negotiations at the Department for International Trade (DIT) said…

Indian High Commissioner promises to ramp up visa capacity in…

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami took to Twitter on Wednesday (12) to explain steps being taken to ramp up capacity and address the difficulty in getting an Indian visa by travellers from Britain. There has been a mounting backlog for Indian visas in recent months, as applicants…

Met Police to record ethnicity of drivers during stops

Britain’s largest police force has said it is actively working on the commitment to record the ethnicity of drivers stopped by its offers.The Metropolitan Police ran such a pilot in London for six months last year after being asked by the Mayor’s Action Plan on Accountability and Trust in Policing.However,…

Six police officers and an ex-officer face probe over ‘offensive’…

UK police watchdog has started a criminal investigation against six serving police officers and a former officer over 'discriminatory, derogatory or pornographic' messages on a WhatsApp group, according to reports. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched the probe against five officers serving with the Civil Nuclear Constabulary…

Met chief says he will be ruthless in rooting out…

The Metropolitan police commissioner has promised that he 'will be ruthless in rooting out' racists from the force following the emergence of a WhatsApp group chat scandal involving serving and retired officers, according to reports. Former Met officer Rob Lewis, who created the group, was suspended this week for posting…

High-profile England cricketer being probed for using racist slur P***…

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is believed to be investigating a ‘high-profile’ player following claims that he hurled racist slurs at his former team-mate years ago.According to a Sportsmail report, the player in the eye of the latest storm hitting English cricket used the derogatory word P*** against…

Only half of Generation Z found to be straight –…

According to a new study and polling that was undertaken by LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and Ipsos, there seem to be stark generational differences with regard to sexual attraction. The latest discovery is that only half of Generation Z are entirely attracted to people of the opposite sex. For the purposes…

Scottish gender bill: JK Rowling calls Nicola Sturgeon ‘destroyer of…

The Harry Potter author JK Rowling has called Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon 'destroyer of women’s rights' as the former extended support to people protesting over a new gender recognition law in the country, media reports said. On Thursday (6) lawmakers in Scotland showed the green light to a new…

Charles hosts first South Asian diaspora event as King in…

Britain’s King Charles III hosted his first major event in Scotland for the South Asian diaspora since becoming monarch last month as a celebration of charity initiatives geared towards the region. The event for the British Asian Trust, founded by him as the Prince of Wales in 2007 to tackle…

Bird flu: What happens if you consume an infected chicken?

With the virus being detected across 155 sites so far, and 47.5m birds being culled since last autumn, the UK continues to be affected by one of the worst avian flu outbreaks in its history. According to the National Farmers' Union (NFU), avian flu H5N1 has been confirmed in captive…

Half of adults in England and Wales receive ‘phishing’ messages,…

New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that half of adults in England and Wales received a 'phishing' message for the year ending March 2022. According to results from the Telephone-operated Crime Survey of England and Wales (TCSEW), those aged 25 to 44 years are most likely…

Met Police boss vows to ‘ruthlessly’ root out racists from…

New Metropolitan Police boss Sir Mark Rowley has vowed to “ruthlessly” root out racists and misogynists from the organisation. He admitted Scotland Yard had been “far too weak” in taking on those who undermined the honest and dedicated majority. But he said he was determined to “get the culture right”…

University of Cambridge says it gained from slave trade

Britain's University of Cambridge said on Thursday it had benefited from the proceeds of slavery over its history, and promised to expand scholarships for Black students and fund more research into the murderous trade. The acknowledgement comes as a string of leading institutions - from the bank of england to…

Met Police not properly recording grounds for strip and search:…

The Metropolitan Police needs to improve its recording of the grounds for stop and search, a watchdog has found. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) estimated in its report that close to 76 per cent of all stop and searches conducted by Scotland Yard during…

UK elections watchdog calls for action to prevent abuse and…

Many candidates at the May elections reported experiencing abuse, threatening behaviour and intimidation, the UK’s elections watchdog revealed.The Electoral Commission’s reports found that while 40 per cent of candidates in England and Wales reported intimidation in elections, the proportion went up to 44 per cent in Scotland. But it was…

About 250,000 attended Queen Elizabeth’s lying-in-state, UK minister says

Some 250,000 mourners filed past Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster Hall in London during her lying-in-state, Britain's culture minister Michelle Donelan said on Tuesday. "It's approximately around the 250,000 mark. We're just crunching those final numbers," Donelan told Times radio. The full figures would be released in due course, she…

Indian President Murmu arrives in London to attend funeral of…

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in London on Saturday (17) evening to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and to offer condolences on behalf of the Indian government. Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 at her summer residence of Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, is lying-in-state…

King Charles pledges ‘additional duty’ to protect faith diversity of…

King Charles III has pledged to uphold the “additional duty” as a new monarch of protecting the diversity of the UK and be a sovereign of all communities around the Commonwealth. Addressing a group of faith leaders on Friday evening in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace, where just days…

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in numbers

Here are a few numbers related to the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday. 1,500 The number of miles (2,414 kilometres) travelled by the new King Charles III in his first week on the throne. Charles began his reign with visits to Scotland, where he was at the…

Prince William ‘cyber-dated’ Britney Spears before he met Kate Middleton

American singer-songwriter Britney Spears has claimed that she and Prince William had a 'cyber relationship' during their teenage years before he met Kate Middleton. Spears revealed that she and Prince William had an email interaction while they were teenagers in an interview with talk show host Frank Skinner in 2002.…

Biden allowed to use Beast for Queen’s funeral but lesser…

American president Joe Biden is among the few foreign dignitaries allowed to use their own cars to the venue of the Queen’s funeral while other world leaders would have to use a shared bus, media reports said. The funeral for Elizabeth II who died in Scotland last week will be…

Anti-monarchy protester who was holding sign reading ‘f*** imperialism, abolish…

A Mexican student arrested in Edinburgh over the weekend after an anti-monarchy demonstration claimed the “wrongful” police action against her was “a violation of freedom of speech.” Mariángela, who did not wish to reveal her last name, was holding a sign reading “f*** imperialism, abolish monarchy” during a ceremony for…

Free-speech campaigners slam police for arresting anti-monarchy protesters in UK

Rights groups have deplored the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters in the UK during events following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Two young people have been arrested in Scotland since Sunday over breach of peace and public order while a man was rounded up in England for similar reasons. The…

Darling late mother set example of selfless duty: Britain’s King…

King Charles III on Monday (12) addressed Parliament for the first time as Britain's monarch during which he pledged to follow the example of selfless duty set by his "darling late mother" Queen Elizabeth II in upholding "the precious principles of constitutional governance. Responding to the condolences offered by the…

Queen’s love for India shared by new King: British Indians…

Queen Elizabeth II’s love for India and the Commonwealth, shared by her son and successor King Charles III, were the recurring themes as Indian-origin members of Parliament, peers and diaspora groups paid tribute to the late monarch. In special sittings of the Houses of Parliament over the past few days…

Queen Elizabeth to remain on Canadian currency

The face of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to appear on its currency, the Bloomberg reported. Queen was the head of state of Canada, a former British colony. In 2011, Canada decided to feature Queen Elizabeth's image on the backs of coins and on plastic-based C$20 ($15.28) bank notes. According…

FACTBOX-How King Charles’ accession to the throne is formalised

Queen Elizabeth, the longest-reigning monarch in Britain's history, died on Thursday (8) aged 96, and her son Charles succeeded to the throne immediately. Here is an explanation of the protocol surrounding the official accession of a new monarch and Saturday's ceremony formally proclaiming Charles as king. An Accession Council has…

King Charles’ wife Camilla to get Kohinoor diamond crown, suggests…

With Charles succeeding his mother Queen Elizabeth II as the British monarch, his wife Camilla is set to get the crown which holds the famous Indian-origin Kohinoor diamond.The Queen Concert will receive the crown when the formal coronation of the new king takes place after the mourning of Elizabeth who…

American university professor slammed for wishing Queen ‘excruciating’ death

An American university professor created a flutter on social media by wishing Queen Elizabeth II would die an intensely painful death. Her comment drew immediate condemnation from Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.Uju Anya, an associate professor of second language acquisition at the Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Mellon University, wrote on Twitter, “I heard…

Queen Elizabeth II death: India declares one-day mourning on Sept…

India on Friday declared one-day mourning on September 11 on the passing away of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, passed away on Thursday. "As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India has decided that there…

Queen Elizabeth dies at 96, ending an era for Britain

Queen Elizabeth, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and the nation's figurehead for seven decades, died at her home in Scotland aged 96 on Thursday. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will…

Queen Elizabeth’s family rushes to side of ailing monarch

Britain's royal family rushed to be with Queen Elizabeth after doctors said they were concerned about the health of the 96-year-old monarch on Thursday and said she should remain under medical supervision. The queen, Britain's longest-reigning sovereign and the world's oldest monarch, has been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has…

Veteran journalist slammed for racist ‘coconut cabinet’ jibe on Liz…

A veteran political commentator and former BBC journalist has apologised for a “unacceptable” racist remark on the diverse cabinet of new prime minister Liz Truss. Iain Macwhirter’s “coconut cabinet” jibe on the appointment of people of colour to the three great offices of the government, sparked outrage on social media…

Scotland’s first ever period dignity officer role scrapped after appointment…

Local authorities in a Scottish region have discontinued a period dignity officer role within weeks of controversially appointing a man for the job.A group of colleges and local councils in Tayside had last month announced that Jason Grant had been hired to handle the distribution of free period products to…

Truss to meet cabinet, face MPs on first full day…

Britain's new prime minister Liz Truss convenes her senior ministers for an inaugural cabinet meeting on Wednesday on her first full day in office, before she faces a barrage of questions in parliament. Truss, who officially became leader Tuesday at an audience with the head of state Queen Elizabeth II…

Rishi Sunak: We must unite behind Liz Truss as difficult…

Britain's Rishi Sunak, who lost the race to become Britain's prime minister on Monday, said the party must now unite behind winner Liz Truss. "It's right we now unite behind the new PM, Liz Truss, as she steers the country through difficult times," Sunak said on Twitter. Truss, 47, will…

Incoming UK prime minister Truss faces a country in crisis

The UK's new prime minister, Liz Truss, takes power following a "summer of discontent" and as Britons tighten their belts in response to double-digit inflation and soaring energy costs. "We have a historically huge shock to the cost of living and incomes," said James Smith, research director of the Resolution…

Liz Truss vows tax cuts after winning vote to be…

Liz Truss will become Britain's next prime minister after winning a leadership race for the governing Conservative party on Monday, vowing to press ahead with promises of tax cuts and to deal with a growing energy crisis. After weeks of an often bad-tempered and divisive leadership contest, Truss, currently the…

Fears of ‘massive’ bills as energy crisis hits UK schools

Rachael Warwick, who oversees three schools in southeast England, has had to sign a new contract to heat and light their buildings at tariffs that she describes as "eye-watering". The executive head teacher of Ridgeway Education Trust in Oxfordshire calculates that if the schools she runs use the same amount…

The Crown casts its Prince William and Kate Middleton for…

The makers of the hit Netflix series 'The Crown' have revealed who is set to play Prince William and Kate Middleton in Season 6. According to Variety, the young prince will be played by 16-year-old Rufus Kampa and 21-year-old Ed McVey, respectively. Meg Bellamy will portray Kate Middleton in the…

JK Rowling’s new book features a character murdered after being…

Author JK Rowling, who made headlines for sharing her controversial views on transgender rights lately, has come up with a new novel that involves a storyline about a woman who is killed after being accused of transphobia. In conversation with Graham Norton, Rowling told that her new novel, "The Ink…

Anas Sarwar slams UK’s ‘zombie government’ for failing to rein…

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar slammed the UK’s “zombie government” for its failure to reign in household energy bills, saying the “inaction” by Westminster angered him. He also reminded the devolved administration of Scotland of its “moral duty” to help people whose savings were squeezed by the high cost of…

Older, white and male: Tory members choosing UK’s PM

Just under 200,000 people will decide who becomes the new leader of Britain's ruling Conservative party and prime minister. The following on the Tory electorate is largely based on a research initiative -- the Party Members Project (PMP) -- by Queen Mary University of London and Sussex University, published in…

JK Rowling on her decision to skip Harry Potter reunion…

Author JK Rowling has finally opened up about her absence from the "Harry Potter" reunion special, saying she made a conscious decision to skip it. In an interview Saturday as part of Graham Norton's Radio Show Podcast, Rowling addressed the rumours claiming she wasn't invited for the 20th anniversary reunion…

Warner Bros. to organise funeral screening for shelved Batgirl

At the beginning of this month, Warner Bros. decided to scrap a number of high-profile projects, including the much-awaited Batgirl. While fans are still busy requesting the studio to reconsider its decision, a leading publication reports that funeral screenings of Batgirl will be taking place soon for a select group…

Crowdfunding for three Indian students who died in car crash…

The Indian National Students Association, UK has launched a fundraiser for Indian students who died in an accident in Scotland on August 19. Three Indian students, including two Leicester University students and a graduate from the institute, died in a car-lorry collision while on a holiday in the Appin area…

Golf and Cricket connected to ‘imperial exploitation’, academics say

The University of St Andrews has said that Golf and Cricket were ‘imposed’ around the world by the British Empire, according to a report in The Telegraph. A new exhibition by the University examined the sport’s contentious links and found out that Golf balls were the product of colonial exploitation. …

London bus drivers latest UK workers to strike over pay

Bus drivers in London are set to strike over pay for two days this weekend, their union announced on Wednesday, as decades-high inflation prompts walkouts across Britain's ailing economy. Around 1,600 drivers from the London United bus company will stage the stoppage on Sunday and Monday over the traditional end-of-summer…

Alba member Farah Hamid investigated over journalist abuse at Tory…

A charity in Scotland is investigating an incident in which an Alba party member posted a video of the BBC Scotland editor James Cook being abused as a 'traitor' outside the Tory leadership hustings, according to a report. Farah Hamid, 53, published a film of Cook facing an angry crowd…

UK intelligence agencies tipped off India about Jagtar Singh Johal…

A rights group has accused the UK’s intelligence agencies of sharing information with Indian authorities about a Sikh campaigner before his “unlawful arrest”. Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton in Scotland, was detained in the north Indian state of Punjab while he was shopping with his wife in November 2017. In…

Met Police apologises for racially stereotyping people of Turkish heritage

The Metropolitan Police has apologised over its training material which appeared to "racially stereotype" people of Turkish heritage.Scotland Yard said it “misjudged the wider impact” of a case study in the material, which had been “designed by educational professionals”. A Turkish Muslim man was the subject of the case study…

Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation to host panel talks on…

The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation is hosting a panel discussion with distinguished guests on September 1 to examine the expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda by then president Idi Amin Dada in 1972, the experiences of those who came to Britain and the contribution they have made to…

Scotland museum signs deal to return seven Indian artefacts including…

A Glasgow-based museum has signed a historic agreement with the Indian government to repatriate seven artefacts including a 14th-century Indo-Persian sword, a first such move by the UK museums service. The transfer of ownership took place in the presence of the Indian High Commission officials on Friday, according to the…

Police blasted for ‘lazy gimmick’ as they deploy cardboard officers…

A police force in England has deployed cardboard cut-outs of officers to deter car crime and speeding drivers, according to reports. But locals called the move a 'lazy gimmick' and a 'joke'. West Mercia Police will position two lifesize figures of police officers, known as Bob, in Shropshire with high-vis…

Jerry Sadowitz show axed over ‘extreme racism and misogyny’; comedian…

The Pleasance Theatre in Edinburgh cancelled comedian Jerry Sadowitz's show as the content was 'extreme in its racism, sexism, homophobia and misogyny'. Sadowitz hit back saying that he was 'cheapened and simplified' by the decision, media reports said. Many authors and comedians including JK Rowling have slammed the decision to…

Appointment of male ‘period dignity officer’ in Scotland sparks outrage

A council in Scotland has been accused of 'mansplaining' after appointing a man as 'period dignity officer'. Many on social media termed the move 'peak gender idiocy', according to a media report. Mansplaining is a pejorative term meaning "to comment on or explain something to a woman in a condescending,…

UK leadership candidates seek to undermine new push for Scottish…

The two candidates battling to be Britain's next prime minister will vie to present themselves as defenders of Scotland's place in the UK on Tuesday (16) by promising more scrutiny of Scotland's government to undermine a new push for independence. The Scottish National Party, which heads Scotland's semi-autonomous government, wants…

JK Rowling receives death threat after condemning attack on Salman…

Renowned writer JK Rowling received an online death threat after condemning the attack on Indian-born novelist Salman Rushdie, prompting Police Scotland to investigate the matter. Soon after the news broke of the attempt on Rushdie’s life in New York on Friday, the Harry Potter author tweeted, “Feeling very sick right…

‘Too cold, they don’t speak English’: Afghan refugees don’t want…

Afghan refugees have rejected the plan to relocate them to Scotland and Wales citing cold weather and limited English language skills as reasons, according to a report. Currently, they are housed in hotels and the UK is spending about £1 million a day for 9,500 Afghans who fled the country in…

Former New Zealand cricket great Ross Taylor says he faced…

New Zealand Cricket said on Thursday that they are looking into allegations by former skipper Ross Taylor that he suffered racism. The 38-year-old, who is of New Zealand-Samoan descent, retired from international cricket in April after a glorious career spanning 16 years. Taylor's comments are the latest accusation of racism…

UK faces the danger of running out of monkeypox vaccine…

Britain will run out of monkeypox vaccines in about two to three weeks as the country has little more than 8,300 doses of vaccine left, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Shipments of a new order of 100,000 doses will not resume until late September, the report added citing an…

Desperate patients in the UK pulling out their own TEETH…

NHS dentistry has been in a crisis situation for many years now. Additionally, many dental surgeries say it is no longer financially viable to offer NHS procedures, leading to an 'exodus' of dentists into the private sector, the Daily Mail reports. According to a new survey it has been found…

First UK help service set up for east and south-east…

The UK on Tuesday (9) launched a free nationwide 24-hour helpline to support east and south-east Asian victims of racism and other forms of hate. The service can be accessed at www.onyoursideuk.org or by calling 0808 801 0393. The On Your Side helpline will provide tailored and culturally sensitive support…

UK’s political vacuum threatens deeper economic crisis, government warned

Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under heavy criticism on Monday for allowing a political vacuum at the heart of his government to threaten an even deeper economic crisis in Britain before his successor takes office in September. Britain is bracing for a long recession as energy prices surge to unprecedented…

Post Office Cash Tracker: Post offices witness record high in…

New figures on Monday (8) revealed that post offices handled a record £801 million in personal cash withdrawals in July. In total, over £3.3 billion in cash was deposited and withdrawn over post office counters, the first time when the figures have crossed the £3.3 billion threshold in Post Office’s…

Prosecuting women for ending their pregnancy will never be in…

Although the 1967 Abortion Act legalises terminations in England, Wales and Scotland (up to 23 weeks), neither the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act nor the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 have been repealed. This means those women who have unregulated abortions or try to end their pregnancy without medical…

Starting anew: UK city marks 50 years since Ugandan Asians…

Fifty years ago, dictator Idi Amin announced his intention to expel Uganda's thriving community of British South Asians. They were given 90 days to leave, or be rounded up in concentration camps. More than 27,000 ethnic Indian and Pakistani holders of UK passports made their way to Britain, which reluctantly…

Revenge porn cases hit record levels in Scotland in five…

The number of revenge porn cases in Scotland has more than doubled in the past five years, according to the latest figures. Police recorded 912 incidents in 2021, up from 421 in 2017/18, revealed an analysis by Scotland's justice and social affairs magazine 1919. In 2018, there were 407 reports,…

Liz Truss: Tory frontrunner for PM claiming to be Thatcher’s…

As a seven-year-old in 1983, Liz Truss played the role of Britain's then prime minister Margaret Thatcher in her school's mock elections but failed to get a single vote. Four decades on, the foreign secretary is again bidding to emulate the Iron Lady to become Conservative party leader and prime…

It’s official – exposure to air pollution linked to dementia

It is estimated that about 900,000 people in the UK suffer with dementia. Also, a study in The Lancet in 2018 suggested that about 60,000 of the 209,600 new cases of dementia diagnosed in the country each year could be due to poor air quality, The Times reports. Dementia is a disabling,…

Paediatrician who falsely diagnosed cancer in children to scare parents…

A Glasgow paediatrician has been struck off the medical register for misdiagnosing children with cancer to scare parents into paying for expensive private treatment, media reports said. Mina Chowdhury, 45, who owned Meras clinic in Glasgow, was found guilty of misconduct by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Services, upon referral from…

Haq calls out Scotland players for ‘deafening silence’ after racism…

Majid Haq scorned the failure of Scotland players to speak out following the publication of a report on racism in Cricket Scotland, saying it showed that the team taking a knee before games to protest racism was little more than tokenism. The report, published on Monday, found the governance and…

Rafiq ‘incredibly proud’ of Haq, Sheikh for speaking up on…

Azeem Rafiq said he was "incredibly proud" of former Scotland cricketers Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh for speaking out about the racist abuse they had suffered in their careers, which led to a damning review into Cricket Scotland. The review, which was backed by SportScotland, was published on Monday and…

The governance and leadership practices of Cricket Scotland have been…

The governance and leadership practices of Cricket Scotland have been found to be "institutionally racist", the organisation leading the independent review of the governing body said on Monday. The study confirmed there were 448 examples that demonstrated institutional racism, with 62% of survey respondents saying they had experienced, seen or…

Cricket Scotland board resigns ahead of report into racism

The board of Cricket Scotland resigned with immediate effect on Sunday, a day before an independent report into racism in the sport is published.The review was commissioned after allegations were made by one of the country's all-time leading wicket-takers, Majid Haq, who said Cricket Scotland was "institutionally racist".Haq's former team…

‘Finding a way to disagree without causing division’

ELECTIONS divide – and the race to determine the next leader of the Conservative party is no different. Every candidate for prime minister has reminded the Tories they will need to unite around whoever emerges as leader. But calls for a clean contest have been honoured more in the breach…

Dr Raisah Sawati, who was struck off for taking a…

A medical tribunal has ordered to restore the licence of a doctor, who was struck off for leaving a busy A&E ward to take a nap, according to reports. It ordered to suspend her for six months instead. Dr Raisah Sawati, 33, from Glasgow, Scotland, was removed from service by…

Make alcohol packaging bland, put cigarette-style graphic health warning, say…

Despite a significant increase in alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2020, not much research has been conducted on consumer perceptions of alcohol packaging as a versatile marketing tool, states a study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. This study was recently conducted with the objective of…

EXCLUSIVE: We will need to build bridges in politics and…

ELECTIONS divide – and the race to determine the next leader of the Conservative party is no different. Every candidate for prime minister has reminded the Conservatives that they will need to unite around whoever emerges as leader. But calls for a clean contest have been honoured more in the…

‘Forced adoption’: what does the law say?

Thousands of parents in Britain have had their children removed and adopted without their consent since the turn of the century -- many more than in any of its European neighbours. This is largely due to the UK legal system's focus on the well-being of the child, and the requirement…

UK weekly Covid-19 infections rise, over 50s to be offered…

AN estimated 3.5 million people in Britain had Covid-19 in the latest week of available data, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Friday (15), up nearly 30 per cent from the 2.7 million recorded in the previous week. Separately, the government announced that a new Covid booster jab…

UK owes apology to 185,000 victims of forced adoption: Inquiry

Britain should formally apologise to unmarried mothers who were forced to give up their babies for adoption, according to an official report Friday that gave harrowing detail of the anguish suffered by the women.Some 185,000 children were taken away for adoption between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales, the…

I am naturally disappointed, says Vijay Mallya on India’s Supreme…

Former Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya, who is based in Britain for over five years, Monday, expressed his disappointment at the Supreme Court verdict sentencing him to four months in a contempt case. The 66-year-old UK-based businessman did not comment further on the verdict handed down by a top court…

Met officer’s bragging of ‘Asian assault cover-up’ points to ‘corrupt…

A Scotland Yard officer, jailed for misconduct, claimed he had covered up an assault on Asian men.Deniz Jaffer said in a WhatsApp group that the attackers were let off after his “off the record” chat. The disgraced officer also used racist language to describe the Asians.Jaffer said the incident involved…

I’m gonna blow this plane up: Brit teenager Aditya Verma…

A British teenager appeared in court in the Spanish island Menorca on Tuesday (5) over a bomb hoax on an EasyJet flight from the UK. He was identified as Aditya Verma, 18, a chess-playing prodigy who has been offered a place at Cambridge University, the MailOnline reported. Verma was released…

If UK PM Boris Johnson is ousted, who could replace…

Britain's finance and health ministers resigned in quick succession on Tuesday, in moves that put the future of Prime Minister Boris Johnson in peril after a series of scandals that have damaged his administration.Below is a summary of some of those who could be in the frame to replace him…

UK’s Labour rules out pact with Scottish independence party at…

The leader of the Labour Party in Scotland on Monday ruled out any deal with the Scottish National Party (SNP) after the next British election, dismissing the idea that such a pact could lead to a new independence referendum. Scottish first minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon last week said…

Record number of disadvantaged students set to work or study…

AROUND 20,000 disadvantaged students from schools, colleges and universities are set to travel all over the world for work and study as the Turing Scheme continued to deliver on the government’s commitment to levelling-up opportunity across the UK. Now entering its second year, 38,000 students -- learners and pupils in…

UK bird reserves closed after suspected avian flu outbreak

Seabird reserves in northeast England and Scotland have been closed to visitors after a suspected outbreak of bird flu, officials said on Friday. The decision to close the Farne Islands, a popular draw for tourists who come to see puffins close up, was made after several hundred seabirds died on…

Touch: Sama Blake releases brand new single with Rameet Sandhu

Sama Blake is back with a brand new single called Touch. The song, accompanied by British-Asian singer and actress Rameet Sandhu, tells the story of a couple unknowingly falling in love. The man is hesitant to make a move fearing rejection. Together they created a music video to beautifully visualize…

Madhavan: Rocketry and role

R MADHAVAN TAKES ON HIS GREATEST FILM CHALLENGE What R Madhavan has done with this week’s big cinema release Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is perhaps the most remarkable challenge undertaken by any Indian actor. He has written, produced, directed, and played the demanding lead role in the big budget biopic,…

Monkeypox cases in Britain pass 1,000

The latest data released Tuesday by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Britain has reached 1,076. According to UKHSA, up to June 26, 2022, there were 1,076 laboratory-confirmed cases in Britain. Of these, 27 were in Scotland, five in Northern Ireland, nine…

Explainer: The issues surrounding a Scottish independence vote

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans on Tuesday for a second referendum to be held on Scottish independence in October 2023.  In a referendum in 2014, Scots voted 55%-45% to remain in the United Kingdom, but both Brexit and the British government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis have bolstered…

UK bill to override N.Ireland Brexit deal back in parliament,…

A UK government bill proposing an overhaul to a post-Brexit deal in Northern Ireland returns to parliament on Monday, despite EU warnings it is illegal and could spark a trade war. Brussels threatened legal action after the UK government earlier this month introduced the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to unilaterally…

Commonwealth Summit: Prince Charles expresses ‘personal sorrow’ over suffering caused…

Prince Charles told Commonwealth leaders Friday that the choice to become a republic or abandon the queen as head of state was theirs alone, and expressed "personal sorrow" at Britain's legacy of slavery. The British heir to the throne addressed the opening of a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)…

Baroness Scotland reelected Commonwealth secretary-general despite Boris Jonshon’s support to…

Baroness Scotland of Asthal has won a second term as the secretary-general of the Commonwealth despite British prime minister Boris Johnson’s support for her challenger from Jamaica.Her re-election at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda on Friday came amid her allies’ allegation that the UK government was “sowing…

Grandson charged with murdering his 89-year-old grandmother in Croydon

A 31-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his 89-year-old grandmother in south London, Scotland Yard said.Verushan Manoharan, 31, was charged by detectives investigating the murder of Sakunthala Francis in Croydon earlier this week.He was arrested at the scene a short time after Francis was found dead with…

Scottish MP launches consultation on bill to pardon thousands of…

Scottish MP Natalie Don has sought speedy legal pardons for all people executed over witchcraft under a historic law.The Scottish National Party politician said on Thursday that failures to administer justice posthumously to the victims of Witchcraft Act 1563 and thereby create awareness would “prolong misogyny”.Don, who spoke before the…

Indian High Commission celebrates International Day of Yoga at BAPS…

THE Indian High Commission in London on Tuesday (21) celebrated the eighth International Day of Yoga at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden. Besides Indian high commissioner HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, Lord Rami Ranger and East Harrow member of parliament Bob Blackman addressed the gathering. Yoga enthusiasts from all over London…

Disused Shetland convenience store to become Britain’s most northerly mosque

Lerwick on the Shetland Islands is likely to get a mosque if a businessman’s application to convert his disused convenience store into a place of worship for Muslims gets approval from the local authority.If the plan fructifies, the structure in the main town of the Shetland archipelago in Scotland will…

As Rwanda hosts Commonwealth, here all you need to know…

ESTABLISHED more than 70 years ago, it has the stated aim of upholding democracy, rule of law and good governance around the world. Here are a few key things to know about it: Key facts Full name: Commonwealth of Nations Member states: 54 Head of the Commonwealth: Queen Elizabeth II…

Scottish cricketer John Blain ‘charged’ in Yorkshire racism case: Report

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is believed to have charged prolific Scottish cricketer John Blain in its investigation into the allegations of racism surrounding Yorkshire County Cricket Club.The board had said last week that Yorkshire and a "number of individuals" were charged but had not named anyone.During his…

Married doctor jailed for raping woman after luring her on…

A married doctor in Scotland has been handed down a four-year jail term for raping a woman who he first met on a dating app.The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Manesh Gill, 39, posed as "Mike" on Tinder and arranged to meet her at a hotel in Stirling, where…

Network Rail to passengers: Plan ahead as there is no…

NETWORK Rail has urged passengers to plan ahead and travel only if necessary as there was 'no real hope' of avoiding the biggest railway strike in 30 years next week, according to a report.  Network Rail confirmed that large parts of Great Britain will have no passenger services on strike days.…

This YouTuber says beggars in London could be making £35k…

A YouTube star said some of the beggars on London’s streets could be “secret millionaires” as they could earn “up to £35,000” a year despite living rough.Tọ́ba Courage, who runs the YouTube channel The Hack with some 854,000 subscribers, said some of the beggars he interacted with earned up to…

EXCLUSIVE: Fight to save Commonwealth

Commonwealth leaders have told Eastern Eye that the UK government is “hell bent on destroying the Commonwealth in pursuit of a colonial agenda”. This newspaper has previously reported on the campaign by Boris Johnson’s administration to oust the current boss of the organisation’s administrative arm, Patricia Scotland. But now her…

Now is not the time to talk about Scottish independence…

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not believe now is the time to be talking about another referendum on Scottish independence, his spokesman said on Tuesday.Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier said she was nearly ready to give more details on how the nation's devolved parliament could move ahead with…

EU threatens legal action over UK’s N.Ireland trade bill

The EU threatened legal action against Britain after the UK government on Monday introduced legislation proposing a unilateral overhaul to the post-Brexit trade deal it signed for Northern Ireland."It is with significant concern that we take note of today's decision by the UK Government to table legislation," European Commission Vice…

Pandemic-time health and social care ‘heroes’ faced abuse, investigation finds

FRONTLINE low-paid health and care workers who were branded heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic suffered racism, harassment and bullying, Britain’s top equality body has uncovered. According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), *It may have underestimated the extent of the abuse because employers were not collecting relevant data.…

Are Covid cases going up in the UK? This interactive…

England reported a jump in Covid-19 cases for the first time since March, as the virus appears to be bouncing back after a months-long lull.According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 797,500 people tested positive for the disease on June 2, accounting for 1.46 per cent of…

UK banks no longer ‘too big to fail’: Bank of…

BRITAIN's biggest banks are no longer "too big to fail" in any future financial shocks, with shareholders rather than taxpayers ready to bear the cost, the Bank of England said Friday (10). Following a major review of eight lenders -- including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest -- the BoE concluded…

Pharmacists and nurses at GP clinics will be allowed to…

PHARMACISTS and nurses in UK can issue sick notes starting from July 1 as part of a new law that wants to unclog the appointments crisis, a media report has said. With the change in law, patients will no longer need to see their family doctor and GPs will get…

Age to buy cigarettes in England should rise every year,…

The legal age of sale for cigarettes in England should be raised by one year every year until eventually no one can buy tobacco products, a government-commissioned review recommended on Thursday.Progressively increasing the minimum age from 18 was one of 15 interventions recommended in the review ordered by health minister…

AR Rahman named ambassador of Indo-UK culture platform

MUSIC great A R Rahman has been named the ambassador of the British Council's 'India-UK Together Season of Culture', which aims to boost collaboration among emerging artists. The 'Season of Culture' marks the 75th anniversary of India's independence. It was officially launched on Tuesday (7) by Britain's deputy high commissioner…

From Brexit highs to ‘Partygate’ lows: Boris Johnson’s woes

Little more than two years after winning a landslide election victory, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a no-confidence vote among Conservative MPs following months of growing pressure. Here are key questions around the crisis confronting the UK leader: Where did it go wrong?  Brexit cheerleader Johnson joined other Tory…

Did Basu’s views on race cost him top police job?

SCOTLAND YARD’S head of counter-terrorism policing, Neil Basu, said he was “disappointed” with the way the process for a new appointment which involved a promotion has been handled, and plans to seek an explanation from the Home Office, a UK media report has claimed. Basu, a Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner…

Queen Elizabeth thanked for being ‘still in the saddle’ after…

Horse-loving Queen Elizabeth was thanked for being "in the saddle" for 70 years as head of state at a service on Friday to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, an event she missed due to her "mobility issues". Other senior members of the royal family joined a congregation of politicians, charity figures…

Cheers and some jeers as Prince Harry and Meghan return…

CHEERS greeted Prince Harry and his wife Meghan outside St Paul's Cathedral on Friday (3) as they made their first public appearance in Britain for two years. But opinions were split among the throng of fans waiting at the London landmark to catch a glimpse of the royals, reflecting a…

‘We didn’t show up’: Scotland’s Robertson apologises after Ukraine defeat

Scotland captain Andy Robertson rued his side's limp display in Wednesday's World Cup playoff against Ukraine and apologised to fans after the defeat in Glasgow ended their hopes of a first appearance at the global soccer showpiece in 24 years. Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk fired…

Thank You, Your Majesty

British-Asian political and business leaders have paid tribute to “their inspirational Queen” for her “selfless service” ahead of her platinum jubilee.  The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, told Eastern Eye that he remembered being a child celebrating her majesty’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, and he was “so excited to get a…

Britain wants to revive imperial measurements – pound, ounce- in…

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce a return to imperial measurements of pounds and ounces as a post-Brexit move away from the European metric system to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this week. As part of a series of announcements to celebrate the 96-year-old monarch's 70…

Illinois player Fahad Babar at the ICC Cricket World Cup…

Based out of Chicago, Illinois, Fahad Babar is one player that had managed to earn a reputation for his ability on the cricket pitch with Team USA once upon a time. He has not been seen for a while in regard to representing his country, however with the team looking…

‘Do I have rashes from Monkeypox?’: NHS 111 is being…

The UK’s non-emergency medical helpline NHS 111 is flooded with phone calls from anxious people who have rashes, as the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in England has crossed 100.Mateo Prochazka of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said people could get local sexual health services instead of resorting to…

As more Monkeypox cases get detected in UK, here’s all…

THE UK's health security agency (UKHSA) has procured more than 20,000 doses of a smallpox vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic as cases of monkeypox rise in Europe and beyond, it said. There are now 90 recorded cases in the UK, and eight additional cases have been detected in England, bringing…

Exclusive: George Alagiah – “I’m lucky to be alive”

SOUTH ASIAN men and women owe it to their families to get tested for cancer. That is the stark message from Britain’s top south Asian newsreader, George Alagiah. The BBC journalist, who was born in Sri Lanka, has lived with bowel cancer for nine years, and he told Eastern Eye…

Imran Ahmad Khan: Disgraced former Tory MP jailed for 18…

A JUDGE jailed a disgraced MP from UK prime minister Boris Johnson's ruling Conservative party for 18 months on Monday (23) for sexually assaulting a teenage boy.The Tories expelled Imran Ahmad Khan, 48, and he resigned from his seat in parliament in the wake of his conviction after a trial…

BMA review: UK failed to protect health staff during the…

A review by a doctors' union has revealed that the UK government failed to protect doctors and the wider healthcare staff at the start of the pandemic, according to a media report. The British Medical Association review said staff were desperately let down by the lack of protective equipment, the…

Why Britain needs to reflect and bridge divides

THE Queen’s platinum Jubilee, marking the longest reign in history, is a chance to reflect on how Britain has changed over the last seven decades. A more diverse Britain is a society of more faiths but is felt to be a less religious place too. The somewhat disunited Kingdom is…

Met officer dismissed for ‘gross misconduct’

A Met Police constable has been dismissed for failing to safeguard a woman who was later killed by her partner.Sandeep Khunkhun, attached to London’s North West Command Unit, was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.The Scotland Yard…

Iain Livingstone: Police Scotland should become “anti-racist”

THE chief constable of Police Scotland has said that the force should become "anti-racist", according to a report.  Iain Livingstone's statement on racism and policing in Scotland was heard during opening statements at the public inquiry in Edinburgh into the death of Sheku Bayoh. Bayoh, 31, died in police custody…

‘Find Music in Art’ exhibition to be displayed at the…

An exhibition of paintings in ink titled 'Find Music in Art' by Preeti Rana will be on display from the 17th of May till the 20th of May at the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh, Scotland. An architect and published poet, Preeti Rana, is showcasing her latest art collection…

Rising student debt: Young Britons in deep crisis

RISING student debt is severely affecting students across Britain, who are already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis. Britons heading to university next year face major changes that critics argue will worsen the financial pain. The pressure is "exhausting, especially for someone in their 20s who has just started thinking about…

Queen to miss UK parliament opening

QUEEN Elizabeth II will miss Tuesday's (10) ceremonial opening of Britain's parliament, as prime minister Boris Johnson tries to reinvigorate his faltering government by unveiling its plans for the coming year. The 96-year-old monarch, who usually presides over the pomp-filled event and reads out her government's legislative programme from a…

UN panel says British Sikh man’s detention in India ‘arbitrary’

A UNITED NATIONS working group’s ruling on the “arbitrary detention” of a British Sikh man in India is expected to mount pressure on the UK government to do more to secure his release.Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton in Scotland, was arrested by plain-clothes officers in the north Indian state of…

Queer Britain museum opens in London

QUEER BRITAIN, the UK's first LGBTQ+ museum, opened its doors in London this week, promising to bring the history and culture of the community to a wider audience. Housed in a 19th-century building in a redeveloped area behind King's Cross railway station, the museum has been four years in the…

Johnson loses ‘crown jewels’ in UK vote

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson was on Friday (6) left reflecting on a string of losses at local elections in England, in a mid-term test of his popularity after a string of scandals. Johnson conceded Thursday's (5) vote had produced a "mixed" set of results for his ruling Conservatives, including the…

Local elections: Johnson suffers heavy losses in London

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party lost control of traditional strongholds in London and suffered losses elsewhere in local elections, early results on Friday (6) showed, as voters punished his government over a raft of scandals. Johnson's party was ousted in Wandsworth, a low-tax Conservative stronghold since 1978, part…

UK local elections facts

Local elections for councils and cities will be held in England, Scotland and Wales on Thursday, and polls for the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast. Here are details about the voting and what's at stake: - When does voting take place? - Polls open at 0600 GMT on Thursday…

UK voters head to polls with historic N.Ireland result predicted

Polls opened across the UK on Thursday in local and regional elections that could prove historic in Northern Ireland and heap further pressure on embattled prime minister Boris Johnson. The contest for the devolved assembly in Belfast could see a pro-Irish nationalist party win for the first time in the…

Local polls: Embattled Johnson faces mid-term test

VOTERS go to the polls in Britain on Thursday (5), in a mid-term test for the Conservative government that could determine beleaguered prime minister Boris Johnson's future.The local election results will be seen as a barometer of support for the Conservatives nationally, as well as an indicator of whether the…

Johnson faces major test in local elections on May 5

IN 2019, Johnson upended conventional British politics by winning in both the traditional Conservative southern heartlands and more industrial areas in central and northern England. But his support has waned as the government grapples with a cost-of-living crisis and revelations about his conduct. Now many Conservative lawmakers are wondering if…

Fraud investigators raid GFG Alliance offices

BRITAIN'S Serious Fraud Office has raided the offices of metals tycoon Sanjeev Gupta's UK operations of GFG Alliance, in a probe into its links with the collapsed financier Greensill.The raids come almost one year after the SFO launched an investigation into suspected fraud and money laundering by the Indian-British giant…

Minimum age for marriage raised to 18 in England, Wales

THE MINIMUM age for marriage in England and Wales has been raised from 16 to 18 years, making it illegal for anyone facilitating underage marriages.Under a bill cleared by the UK Parliament on Tuesday (26), religious or cultural marriages not registered with a couples' local council will also fall within…

Neil Basu frontrunner to head National Crime Agency

OUTSPOKEN counterterrorism chief Neil Basu is believed to be in contention to head the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).The Indian-origin assistant commissioner of the Met Police is likely to be interviewed for the role of director-general of the NCA later this week.The post became vacant after Dame Lynne Owens stepped…

Johnson to urge Modi to back Western action against Russia

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson arrived in India Thursday (21) touting job-creating investment but facing long odds to get his reluctant counterpart Narendra Modi to back Western action against Russia. Johnson arrived in Gujarat -- Modi's home state and the ancestral home to half of the United Kingdom's British Indians…

Russia bans entry to Boris Johnson

MOSCOW on Saturday (16) announced it was banning entry to UK prime minister Boris Johnson and several other top UK officials after London imposed sanctions on Russia over its military operation in Ukraine."This step was taken as a response to London's unbridled information and political campaign aimed at isolating Russia…

North Lanarkshire: Doctor convicted of sex crimes against 48 female…

AN Indian-origin doctor practising in Scotland was on Thursday (14) found guilty of sex offences against 48 female patients over 35 years.Krishna Singh, 72, a general practitioner (GP), was accused of kissing, groping, giving inappropriate examinations and making sleazy comments, charges that he had denied during a trial at the…

Valneva’s Covid vaccine gets UK approval

BRITAIN has approved a new coronavirus vaccine by the Austrian-French drugmaker Valneva, the UK regulatory authority MHRA said on Thursday (14). "An approval has been granted after the Valneva Covid-19 vaccine was found to meet the required safety, quality and effectiveness standards," the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said…

Glasgow to return seven ‘stolen’ artefacts to India

GLASGOW will send seven ‘stolen’ artefacts back to India as city councillors have backed a proposal in this regard, according to a report.  Officials from the High Commission of India lodged a request in January for the return of six artefacts “stolen” from Hindu temples and shrines in the 19th…

Met police officer pleads guilty to voyeurism

A POLICE officer has admitted to offences including voyeurism after he was caught filming a woman when she was trying on clothes in a London shop.Met Police constable Swaleh Chaudhry, 36, attached to the Met Police Taskforce has been suspended from duty following his arrest at South Side Shopping Centre,…

Law set to end child marriage in England and Wales

AT 16, Payzee Mahmod was coerced by her Iraqi-Kurdish family in London into marrying a man around twice her age.Two years later her elder sister Banaz, who had left a marriage she was forced into aged 17, was murdered by members of her family in a so-called honour killing.Laws in…

Massive tariff cuts likely as India, Australia sign trade deal

INDIA and Australia inked an interim free trade deal on Saturday (2) that cuts tariffs on billions of dollars of commerce as the two Quad partners bolster their economic ties. Both signatories are members of the Quad alliance with the US and Japan, which is seen as a counterweight to…

600,000 more catch Covid in UK in a week

RATES of Covid infection have hit a record high in the UK, official data showed, just as free government testing ended for millions in England. Some 4.9 million people in the UK are estimated to have had Covid-19 in the week ending March 26, or 600,000 more than the previous…

Citi exits Indian retail banking operations

CITIBANK has joined the list of foreign banks that have exited their retail banking business in India.The US-based lender announced the sale of its consumer banking portfolio to Axis Bank for an estimated Rs 123.25 billion (£1.24 bn).Global banking majors such as ANZ Grindlays, RBS, Commonwealth Bank of Australia have…

UK to continue free Covid tests for healthcare workers, vulnerable

BRITAIN said that healthcare workers, social care staff and the most vulnerable will still get Covid-19 tests without any charge when it ends free testing for the general public next month. When he announced all coronavirus restrictions would be scrapped in February, prime minister Boris Johnson said free tests would…

Queen pays tribute to Prince Philip

THE Queen on Tuesday (29) made her first major public appearance in months, at a thanksgiving service for her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99. The monarch, who turns 96 next month, has not attended a high-profile event outside her homes since she spent a night…

East London murder: Man charged with Yasmin Begum’s death

DETECTIVES investigating the death of Yasmin Begum in East London have charged a man with murder.Quyum Miah, 40, of High Street, Homerton, who was arrested on Sunday (27) has also been charged with burglary and two counts of fraud by false representation, Met Police said in a statement on Monday…

UK Covid cases ‘record high’ with 4.2m infected last week

CORONAVIRUS levels reached all-time highs in Scotland and Wales and are nearing record levels in England, with around 4.2 million people infected across the UK last week, official figures showed Friday (25).The steep rise in infections is due to Omicron BA.2, a more transmissible variant of Omicron, said the Office…

British Indian teenager murdered in London’s student flat

SCOTLAND YARD have arrested a Tunisian national on suspicion of the murder and assault of a British woman of Indian origin in her student accommodation in London.Sabita Thanwani, 19, was found with serious injuries to her neck at Arbour House student flats in the Clerkenwell area of London on Saturday…

Police officers accused of domestic abuse are still in service,…

NEW data has revealed that more than 1,000 police officers accused of domestic abuse are still in service, according to a media report.  Eight out of 10 such officers kept their jobs after the allegations, with a small fraction being disciplined or dismissed, the Guardian reported. A series of freedom…

Britain outlines inquiry terms as Covid-19 prevalence rises

Britain has outlined the terms of reference of its planned inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic, looking into the preparedness of the country as well as the public health and economic response to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, England's Covid-19 prevalence rose to 1 in 25 in the week ending March 5, Britain's…

Shane Warne, the man who made spin sexy again

SHANE WARNE was not only one of the greatest cricketers ever to play the game but he can also probably be credited with saving the art of spin bowling in a sport that had become dominated by relentless pace. His extraordinary figures tell the first half of the story and…

Sachin, Kohli hail Warne ‘the greatest’

INDIAN cricketers past and present from Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar led tributes Friday (4) to Shane Warne after the Australian spin maestro died suddenly of a heart attack at 52. "Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also…

No compulsory vaccination for health staff in England

NHS and social care workers in England will no longer have to have a Covid jab as a condition of employment from later this month, the government said. The UK government announced on January 31 that it intended to revoke the regulations that made vaccination compulsory, subject to the results…

Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in England

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday said he would end all coronavirus restrictions in England including mandatory self-isolation for people with Covid-19 and free testing, drawing scepticism from some scientists and political opponents. Johnson's "living with Covid" plan has sparked alarm that it is premature and will leave the…

Storm Eunice: 150,000 British homes still without power

AROUND 155,000 British homes were still without power late on Saturday (19) after Storm Eunice knocked more than 1.3 million households off the grid the day before, energy companies said.The fierce Atlantic storm brought record winds of up to 122 mph (196 kph) to Britain, killing three people and causing…

Storm Eunice batters Britain, knocks out power

STORM EUNICE battered Britain and Ireland on Friday (18) with record winds of up to 122 miles per hour, killing at least one person, knocking out power for tens of thousands and shredding the roof of London's O2 arena.The storm, which brewed in the central Atlantic and was spun up…

London gets first red weather warning as ‘Storm Eunice’ surges

BRITAIN'S meteorological service issued its first-ever "danger to life" weather warning for London and the army was placed on standby as Storm Eunice made landfall on Friday (18).Hundreds of homes were reported to have been left without power in Cornwall, southwest England, which Eunice hit overnight, bringing gusts of 90…

UK annual inflation hits fresh 30-year high

BRITAIN’S annual inflation has hit the highest level since 1992, data showed on Wednesday (16), adding pressure to the cost of living and on the Bank of England to keep raising rates.The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) edged up to 5.5 per cent in January from 5.4 per cent in December,…

India’s top court gives ‘final opportunity’ to Mallya to appear…

INDIA’S Supreme Court has given a “final opportunity” to fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to appear before it personally or through his lawyer in a contempt case where he has been found guilty.Mallya, who is currently living in the UK, is accused of bank loan defaults of more than Rs 90…

Met chief’s resignation sparks row between Sadiq Khan and Priti…

THE dramatic resignation of the London Met Police chief has sparked a row between mayor Sadiq Khan and home secretary Priti Patel as Khan did not warn the Home Office or Queen he was going to get rid of the commissioner, according to a media report.  The MailOnline reported that…

Met Police chief Cressida Dick resigns after scandals rock force

CRESSIDA DICK announced her resignation last night (10) after a string of scandals rocked London's Metropolitan Police, including racism, sexism and a serving officer murdering a young woman. Dame Cressida, who became the first woman to head the force in 2017, said she had "no choice but to step aside" after London…

Prince Charles tests positive for Covid-19 for a second time

PRINCE CHARLES has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said on Thursday (10), the second time he has contracted the disease. "This morning The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating," Clarence House said, adding he had cancelled his planned engagements for later in the…

Johnson safe for now, but future in jeopardy over ‘partygate’

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson will probably hold onto his job for now despite a scathing report about government coronavirus lockdown parties, but his long-term future is out of his hands as police probe claims of rule breaking, analysts said on Tuesday (1). Johnson on Monday (31) apologised after his…

NHS race observatory welcomes plan to revoke mandatory jabs for…

BRITAIN plans to revoke its decision to make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for health workers in England after warnings that an already-stretched service could face serious staff shortages. The NHS race and health observatory, which raised concerns last year that any mandatory Covid vaccination policy could be potentially discriminatory, welcomed the…

Johnson sorry for ‘partygate’ but vows to stay on

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday (31) apologised after his government was criticised for "failures of leadership and judgment" in allowing lockdown-breaching parties at his offices. Johnson's position has been hanging by a thread because of the steady drip of revelations since late last year, but he has in…

UK ‘partygate’ report slams ‘failures of leadership’

A long-awaited report into claims of lockdown-breaking parties at British prime minister Boris Johnson's offices was published in part on Monday (31), criticising "failures of leadership" that allowed events to go ahead. Political and public anger at the revelations put Johnson's position as leader under threat, but senior civil servant…

Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS staff in England under review

NHS workers and staff who work on the frontline in England have been asked to get fully vaccinated by April 1 or will be redeployed or dismissed. However, on Monday (31) the ministers will be meeting to decide whether or not to scrap mandatory Covid jabs for NHS workers in…

England revives Plan A: living with Covid

ENGLAND on Thursday (27) lifted coronavirus restrictions imposed to tackle the Omicron variant, with masks no longer required in enclosed places and vaccine passports shelved. The number of positive Covid-19 cases has fallen sharply over the past two weeks, and although still at high levels, have plateaued in recent days.…

Sir Geoff Palmer accuses fellow academics of racism

SCOTLAND’s first black professor has accused fellow academics of discrimination, the Guardian reported. Recently, an explosive row over Edinburgh’s links with slavery prompted calls for Sir Geoff Palmer to quit as chair of two groups re-examining the city’s history. Sir Geoff criticised the Edinburgh professors Jonathan Hearn and Sir Tom…

Johnson denies blackmailing Tory rebels

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has dismissed new allegations that his aides had tried to "blackmail" and threaten Conservative rebels, in a potentially criminal twist to Downing Street's "partygate" scandal. Senior Tory William Wragg disclosed the alleged intimidation campaign as Downing Street battles to shore up Johnson against calls from…

India, Pakistan to clash on Oct 23 in 2022 T20…

INDIA and Pakistan will lock horns in a blockbuster T20 World Cup group clash for the second year running after the fixtures for the October-November 2022 tournament in Australia were announced on Friday. The arch-rivals will lock horns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, a day after…

Most Covid rules in England to be scrapped as infections…

THE UK government announced Wednesday (19) that restrictions reimposed in England last month to fight the surge in Omicron coronavirus cases would be lifted, citing data that showed infections had peaked. Guidance advising people to work from home was lifted immediately, while from the middle of next week they will…

Retired GP tweets breaking Covid rules to hug bereaved woman

A FORMER GP has revealed how he broke Covid restriction rules at the height of the pandemic to hug a woman at a vaccine clinic. Dr Prit Buttar, who is retired, chose to volunteer to administer Covid jabs and last week took to Twitter to share a tweet which went…

Murray wins five-set epic on return to Australian Open

ANDY MURRAY battled to his first win at the Australian Open since 2017 with an epic five-set victory over 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Tuesday (18). The three-time Grand Slam champion, playing with a metal hip following career-saving surgery in 2019, wrestled with the Georgian for almost four hours before…

UK points to lifting of Covid curbs

BRITAIN said Sunday (16) it hopes to lift its latest Covid restrictions for England later this month with the Omicron surge of infections apparently fading.Last month, England switched to "Plan B" restrictions, re-imposing guidance to work from home and a requirement for attendees to show vaccination passports on entry to…

EXCLUSIVE: The outsider who became an insider

Aaqil Ahmed should not have succeeded. Working class. A northerner. Brown. A Muslim. Definitely an outsider. Definitely a maverick. When you look at his 30-year career, which he celebrates this year, you know that sheer hard work, determination and bloody-mindedness – the south Asian way – were just some of…

Liberty Aluminium Lochaber’s value up 108m since 2016

THE BUSINESS value of the Lochaber-based Liberty Aluminium smelter acquired by GFG Alliance in 2016 has appreciated by a third since the takeover.GFG Alliance - led by metals tycoon Sanjeev Gupta - bought the smelter along with a nearby hydroelectric plant at Fort William for £330 million in a deal…

Britain reports record Covid-19 prevalence as Omicron surges

BRITAIN on Wednesday (5) reported record Covid-19 prevalence for the last week of 2021, with one in 15 people in England infected, as prime minister Boris Johnson said cases were increasing at the fastest rate ever. The increasing number of cases has put huge strains on public services such as…

‘Polar Preet’ always wanted to break stereotype

CONGRATULATORY messages have continued to pour in for British Army captain Harpreet Chandi as she became the first woman of colour to cross Antarctica unsupported earlier this week. She has won accolades not only because of her courage, determination and endurance, but also because she achieved the feat earlier than expected. Initially, she…

UK eases curbs for travel into England

THE UK government announced changes on Wednesday (5) to Covid travel rules for England, scrapping the need for visitors to have pre-departure tests and quarantine on arrival until they have tested negative. The new arrangements under which arrivals will be able to take a lateral flow in the first two…

Man charged over anti-vaccine protest outside Javid’s home

A man responsible for allegedly staging an anti-vaccine protest outside health secretary's home, has been charged. In a video footage, posted online, shows someone delivering a letter with an anti-Covid vaccine message outside Sajid Javid's London address in Fulham. The man addresses the camera, claiming the letter puts the health…

England hospital staff absences double as virus surges

HOSPITAL staff absences due to Covid have more than doubled in a month in England as the virus surge puts strain on beds, according to data published Friday (31). The number of hospital staff ill or self-isolating due to the virus rose from 11,375 on November 29 to 24,362 on…

New Year honours: Kamlesh Khunti, Sara Khan and Nitin Ganatra…

By Nylah Salam Human rights campaigner and counter-terrorism commissioner Sara Khan, paediatric cardiology professor Shakeel Ahmed Qureshi, Leicester academic professor Kamlesh Khunti and actor Nitin Ganatra are among several British Asians who have been recognised in the New Year Honour’s List published tonight (31). Khan has been recognised with a…

As virus surges, England builds temporary hospitals

England is building temporary hospitals to deal with a potential overspill of inpatients as surging virus cases put the country's health service on a "war footing", officials said Thursday. Fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant, daily cases have ballooned, standing at more than 183,000 on Wednesday. NHS England said…

England builds temporary hospitals to tackle potential overspill of inpatients

ENGLAND is building temporary hospitals to deal with a potential overspill of inpatients as surging virus cases put the country's health service on a "war footing", officials said Thursday (30). Fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant, daily cases have ballooned, standing at more than 183,000 on Wednesday (29). NHS…

Over 10,000 people hospitalised with Covid in England

THE number of people in hospital with Covid in England topped 10,000 on Wednesday (29), the highest total since March, as UK case numbers hit a new record. According to updated government figures, there were 10,462 people in hospital with Covid in England on Wednesday morning, the highest level since…

UK’s daily Covid infections hit record high of 129,471

BRITAIN reported a record 129,471 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday (28), a day after prime minister Boris Johnson said he would not bring in new restrictions this year to limit the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus. Johnson said on Monday (27) he would not…

UK seeks to mitigate workforce disruption from Omicron

THE BRITISH government has asked public sector managers to test their contingency plans against a worst-case scenario of 25 per cent staff absence as part of efforts to minimise disruption from the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. With daily infection numbers at a record high and people…

No new Covid curbs for England this year

ENGLAND will not get any new Covid-19 restrictions before the end of 2021, health minister Sajid Javid said on Monday (27), as the government awaits more evidence on whether the health service can cope with high infection rates. Prime minister Boris Johnson continues to resist new measures, which would be…

Johnson to examine hospital data before imposing additional Covid measures

BRITISH prime minister Boris Johnson will examine crucial hospital data on Monday (27) before making any new announcement on Covid measures, media reports said.  The Guardian reported that Johnson would “take stock” after being encouraged by improving data on Friday (24), a sign that No 10 is leaning away from…

UK extends visa scheme for seasonal farm workers

THE UK government has announced it is extending a temporary visa scheme for foreign seasonal workers until the end of 2024, while it will gradually reduce the quota from 2023. The government on Friday (24) said it will next year offer 30,000 visas for workers to come to the UK…

UK approves Covid jab for under-12s as new daily cases…

BRITISH regulators on Wednesday (22) approved Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for use in children aged five to 11, as the country reported more than 100,000 new daily cases for the first time as Omicron surged. The developments came after the government said it was cutting the isolation period required for positive…

British data indicate lower hospitalisation rate for Omicron

TWO studies from Britain published Wednesday (22) showed Covid infections with Omicron are less likely to result in hospitalisation compared to the Delta variant, the latest research confirming a trend first identified in South Africa. The preliminary studies - one paper from Scotland and the other from England - were…

UK economy grew more slowly than thought before Omicron hit

BRITAIN'S economy grew more slowly than previously thought in the July-September period, before the Omicron variant of the coronavirus posed a further threat to the recovery later in the year, official data showed on Wednesday (22). Gross domestic product in the world's fifth-biggest economy increased by 1.1 per cent in…

Sunak launches £1 billion support package for Covid-hit businesses

BRITAIN on Tuesday (21) launched a £1 billion support package for Covid-hit businesses, as staff absences from rising cases began to bite in the run-up to Christmas. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said some 200,000 firms would be eligible for one-off grants to offset losses from what is normally the busiest time…

UK reports record 93,045 Covid-19 cases as Omicron surges

BRITAIN reported record Covid-19 infections for the third consecutive day on Friday (17), with a rise to 93,045 new cases fuelled by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the virus. The government will hold an emergency committee meeting on Omicron at the weekend with the devolved administrations in…

Deal to sell steelworks to Sanjeev Gupta comes under scrutiny

MINISTERS have admitted that Nicola Sturgeon's government may have broken state aid rules in a deal to sell steelworks to Sanjeev Gupta, reported The Telegraph. There is growing scrutiny of the SNP's ties to the industrialist as he fights to keep his empire afloat, it was reported. The Scottish business…

Brexit negotiator David Frost quits UK government

BRITISH cabinet minister David Frost, who led Brexit negotiations, resigned from the government with immediate effect on Saturday (18), topping a torrid week for British prime minister Boris Johnson after a party rebellion on new coronavirus curbs and by-election humiliation. Frost, a trusted ally of the prime minister, sent his…

EXCLUSIVE: BBC radio unlikely to hit leadership targets

“Systemic and cultural barriers” stop progress of people of colour finds new report Senior BBC leaders in radio news have warned that the corporation will never hit the director-general’s 20 per cent target for people of colour to climb to the top their profession. Nina Robinson, an experienced former BBC…

UK virus cases highest since January

BRITAIN on Friday (10) saw the highest number of Covid infections since January as the government seeks to slow the spread of the new variant. Communities secretary Michael Gove said the country faces a "deeply concerning situation" as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly, with case numbers doubling every two to three days in England.…